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For Beth Murray, returning to college decades after graduating from Warren Western Reserve High School in 1986 was not part of her original plan. But, after witnessing the courage and compassion of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, she knew it was time to answer a new calling.

Murray, a patient care assistant at Mercy Health St. Joseph’s Hospital, is now pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at ��㴫ý at Trumbull, with plans to graduate in 2028.

Her path to nursing wasn’t straightforward. Murray first enrolled at Kent State in 2013, studying psychology with a focus on helping children with autism. She earned her associate degree in psychology in 2017 but found limited job opportunities in the field. She’s worked for Mercy Health since 2002, which included time at Hospice of the Valley until 2020. There, she shifted her focus to direct patient care during the pandemic.

“During the pandemic, the nurses that I worked with were inspiring,” Murray said. “They showed up every day during those uncertain times and never hesitated to take care of critically ill patients in spite of the risk to themselves. They were selfless and inspiring and made me want to acquire the necessary knowledge to do the job they did every day.”

Balancing full-time work and a full course load has been one of Murray’s biggest challenges. As the primary provider of health insurance for her household, she can’t reduce her hours. With help from a supportive employer and her husband, Wayne, however, she

manages to make it work.

“My family and friends, especially my husband, have given me unconditional support,” she said. “My coworkers and my children cheer on my successes every day — especially when I do well in anything math-related.”

Murray, who receives the Charles Holton Scholarship, Ruth Linamen Memorial Scholarship, Trumbull Future Nurses Scholarship and the Alyson M. Smith Memorial Scholarship, said Kent State made the transition back to school smooth.

“Kent State has always been exceptional when it comes to non-traditional students,” she said. “I’ve never felt out of place with my younger peers. They’re amused when I talk about life before Google, cable television or cell phones, but they’ve always treated me with respect.”

Known by many classmates as “the mom of the class,” Murray embraces the nickname.

“I’m the mom just about everywhere — at work, at school, at home,” she joked. “I’m always willing to help if someone needs it. You never know what someone is going through. Sometimes, just a smile or a ‘Congratulations!’ can give someone the confidence to keep going. I remind them often, ‘You only fail if you quit.’”

Looking ahead, Murray plans to stay with Mercy Health after graduation and hopes to one day teach future nurses.

“I love being able to share my knowledge with others,” she said. “The students I’m in class with now are wonderful and they’ve treated me like one of their own. We’ll continue to support each other until we graduate, and hopefully beyond.”