As a Carrington College Associate Degree in Nursing program student, Channing Ford expected to get hands-on experience at a hospital during her externship. What she did not expect was to find herself directly involved in a patient’s life-threatening struggle. But her medical career direction was confirmed that day when she intervened in a patient’s blood transfusion after she noticed the patient’s subtle allergic reaction. On her observation, corrective action was taken and the patient stabilized. Channing’s strong assessment skills, her vigilance in recognizing subtle changes in patient’s condition and her advocacy for patient safety ensured her place as a medical professional.
Those qualifiers also earned Channing Carrington College’s prestigious DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) award honoring a worldwide community of extraordinary nurses, nursing faculty and students.
What was your reaction to hearing you earned the DAISY Award for your patient intervention?
Receiving this award was so unexpected. I found out in class when they came in to present the monetary award for nursing students and faculty that go above and beyond in patient care and treatment. I was just glad to be able to catch the transfusion reaction of the patient right away.
What led you to nursing and Carrington College?
I have had a very strong sense of empathy, ever since I was a little girl. As a freshman in high school, I had appendicitis and had to have emergency surgery. The nurses were so great, and it reminded me of how much I loved helping people.
I believed that God has a plan for me in the medical field, but I didn’t continue with community college when I couldn’t pass my Anatomy/Physiology class. Feeling defeated, it caused me to look at other providers of this (medical) education. I knew I was meant to do this. I had earned my Certified Nursing Assistant in a 6-month program, but Carrington College’s Associate Degree in Nursing offered a higher credential.
What was the best thing about Carrington College’s Associates Degree in Nursing program?
The other students I’ve met. I’ve never met a group that is so supportive of each other. I’ve never been a big studier until another girl (Kathleen) in my class taught me how to go about studying the material, answering questions, and being more patient with myself. We’re still going strong together.
Any surprises?
Receiving the DAISY Award with the most unexpected thing. The dean and assistant dean came into class to present the monetary award to a student who had gone above-and-beyond expectations. My being able to catch our patient’s response to her blood transfusion was what led to me getting this award!
What is your greatest struggle as a student?
I worked full time during my first four semesters at Carrington College, but then stopped working so that I could focus on school.
I don’t give myself much grace when I get Bs on an exam or assignments. I try to remember that this is really hard, but I’m not giving up and I am really proud of myself. God set this in my heart, so I’m meant to be here.
I’ve never been a big studier until another girl (Kathleen) in class taught me to be patient, how to better understand questions and how to use study materials. Her study habits helped me work better.
What inspires you to keep pushing forward?
Just knowing this is definitely my calling. My biggest inspiration to keep going is God and my grandmother (Nana). She was my best friend, filled a piece of my heart and is always with me. I have my parents and my six siblings who support my journey, as well.
And Jordan, my fiancée is one of my biggest cheerleaders, for sure. He boosts my confidence when I’m down, tells me I’m so smart, he’s so proud of me and ‘it’s all going to be ok’. We were high school sweethearts and have been together for 8 years.
Do you get the support you need at school?
I reach out to professors often and they’re definitely very supportive. But in nursing school you need to find that student group or individual support. You don’t ever have to feel like you stand alone. Support is there at both student and faculty levels.
There’s always going to be a resource for you. Professor, dean, fellow student – you never have to do it alone.
What advice do you have for nursing students who struggle?
You have to take a test to get into nursing school, so this must be the place you wanted to be. People who are here deserve to be here. Before you take a big step back, write in a journal about why you started nursing school. Remind yourself why you chose to do this.
If you have a passion for helping people, and an inking for nursing, you deserve to be here and should just go for it.
What is your clinical ‘externship’ (medical site experience) like?
I’ve always felt very prepared in the clinical setting and around patients because I’ve been taught what I need to know – plus some. Carrington College made me feel like I’m prepared for anything that comes to me in my nursing career.
Where would you like to apply what you have learned in this nursing program?
My goal is to work with kids. When kids are sick or hurt, they are probably so confused, scared, angry. In my heart I feel I have the kind spirit to work with children and sensitivity to parents in their time of confusion and fear. But for almost four years as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) I’ve been working with 9-15 patients in an ADL (Activities of Daily Living) position in a skilled nursing facility.
There are advancement possibilities here and the nursing staff is very supportive of teaching me more skills. After a year or two more of getting experience under my belt I want to segue to working with children. That’s my end goal.
