A man in the USA graduated from the same medical university, where he once worked as a janitor. Frank Baez, who graduated from York University’s Langone Tisch Hospital, after working there for years as Janitor. A janitor’s work includes cleaning patient rooms, bathrooms and hallways.
Baez (29) who moved to New York from the Dominican Republic with his mom at age 15, got his first job at a hospital, where he worked as a housekeeper because he desperately wanted a job that would help support his family. Once he started working in the hospital as a housekeeper, he got intrigued by the medical field and medical technology, hence he applied for patient transporter position, where he was selected.
He said, “I could barely speak English at the time when I started working at NYU, Now I reflect on it and I feel very proud of how much I accomplished.”
He then left his job as patients transporter to finish his bachelor’s degree at Hunter College. He was also the first person in his family to graduate from college. He says that he always wanted to work go back to his tribe at NYU hospital.
He said, “While working [at NYU] with the nurses, I realized I wanted to be one of them,” he said. “I learned how much they advocate for their patients and the passion they have for their job.”
Completed Degree In 15 Months
Baez, with help from nurses at NYU hospital, admitted himself at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Since he had previously worked in Medical Field, he was admitted to an accelerated program that allowed him to graduate with a bachelor’s in nursing within just 15 months.
Natalya Pasklinsky, professor at Rory Meyers college of nursing said, “Frank didn’t just clear the program by barely passing. He flew through it with flying colours even though our program is extremely rigorous, and to my mind, he’s a star. I think he’s going to be an excellent nurse.”
Pasklinsky has known Baez for years as she once used to work as a nurse in the same unit where Baez worked as a janitor while he was in high school. She remembers the attentive medical care he gave to patients, the way he compassionately interacted with patients, and his promotion from janitor to patient transporter.
Baez graduated in nursing with a 3.6 GPA and started working as a nurse. He hopes to become a critical care nurse in an intensive care unit.
“I was never a full-time student, I just studied a lot while working, Of course there were times I doubted myself, but then I felt that I wanted to do something more for myself, that I deserved better, that I wanted to continue to move forward and grow and go on with my life,” Baez said.
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