MOHAVE COUNTY – Taschia Salas is proving hard work pays off, as she blazes a trail of success on the path to her dream career.
She is a mother, business owner and is no stranger to higher education. She’s earned a degree in Art, a certificate in Practical Nursing, and in May she will graduate with an associate’s degree in Registered Nursing. Salas currently owns and operates a Kitchen Tune-up franchise and is a substitute Licensed Practical Nurse for the Lake Havasu school district.
“I won’t lie, balancing work, nursing school and life in general has been a challenge, however I try to stay as organized as possible to curb some of the anxiety,” Salas said.
Her husband has been her rock and shoulder to lean on while going through school. She said he helps lighten the load at home with the children and household duties.
Salas is also an Mohave Community College 2019 All Arizona Academic Team Member, which awards her a scholarship for full tuition at any Arizona public university. While currently taking classes at MCC, she is also enrolled at Northern Arizona University. Once she graduates from MCC, her credits will transfer to NAU where she will complete her Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing, tuition free thanks to her academic team member status.
“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl and I traveled a lot of other paths to get here,” Salas said. “This community college has been everything for me, as far as helping move me forward in a career I care about.”
Salas is thankful for the MCC Foundation because she was a recipient of the Klostermeier Family Nursing Scholarship. The MCC Foundation provides scholarships for MCC students like Salas.
She said having a college foundation that supports future nurses is an essential part of our community. She appreciates the generosity of the community members who support the foundation, which chose her for the scholarship.
Salas has been a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at MCC, and said PTK has been a big part of her life and scholarship opportunities. She also credits the college nursing faculty and staff, “because they work hard to make sure every student succeeds.”
One of her favorite aspects of the nursing program is the community of MCC nursing students who have come together and bonded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You get to experience that clinical setting at the hospital, going into something that’s completely unexpected, and coming together as a team to help the community,” Salas said.
Salas and other MCC nursing students have been helping local hospitals screen employees, doctors, patients and visitors during the pandemic.
For those looking to start their college journey, Salas recommends you figure out your purpose, set a goal and strive for it.
To learn more about MCC’s registered nursing and practical nursing program, visit www.Mohave.edu.
MCC Registered Nursing student, Taschia Salas.