How a CNM Scholarship Helped This Single Mom Finish Her Degree

There are many different ways to fund your classes at CNM and everyone is encouraged to apply
December 09, 2020

Christiane Kady was one term away from graduating from CNM’s Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Mobility Option program when a loved one passed away. The death was devastating and forced her to put school on hold. She also fell into a depression and developed signs of anxiety. 

Over the next 10 years, Christiane, who’s Navajo, got better and went on to raise a family. But then she went through a difficult divorce and found herself a single mom with three kids. She needed a new career and decided to re-enroll in CNM. 

Luckily, all her credits from her previous degree were still good. That meant she could finish a few classes then apply to CNM’s Nursing program. It took her three tries, but she eventually got in and will graduate with her degree this Saturday.

“When I learned I could go back to CNM and that my classes were still good, it literally felt like a giant door opened in front of me,” she says.  

To pay her tuition, Christiane first received funding from the National Indian Youth Council through a work training program. But when that ran out, she decided to look for CNM scholarships. She knew there was plenty of aid available, but she was intimidated to apply. 

“Sometimes you get in your own way, but I decided to sit down and immediately realized there were a ton of options for me,” she says. 

Thanks to her hard work, Christiane received two scholarships that covered the entire cost of her final term this fall. And the timing could not have been better. Because of the pandemic, both her young daughters—a first grader and a fourth grader—were at home doing school while Christiane was also trying to complete her classes for the degree. It was a difficult juggle, but the funding eliminated some of her stress. 

“On my worst days, all I could do was go into the closet and cry,” Christiane says.

She’s had a lot of guilt because the Nursing program is demanding and has taken some of her time away with the kids. But she also knows her kids will eventually understand and appreciate all the work she’s done to build a new life for the family.  

“It took me almost two terms to get past the sadness and guilt, but I know the kids will understand that I did this for a reason,” she says. “That, and now that I’m almost done, I’ve never felt so independent and empowered.” 

Going forward, Christiane says she plans to pass her licensing exam, start working, and also eventually get her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree. She’s not sure where she wants to specialize in Nursing, but she’s definitely ready to start.

“It’s been a long road and I’m excited to get some real-world experience,” she says.

Find out more about all of CNM’s scholarships.