Can you imagine how wrestling inspired a 7-year-old girl to one day become a nurse? Leili Lemmons’ was raised from a young age to wrestle alongside boys before the sport was officially divided. Leili reflects on this by stating it taught her to speak up for herself, take the wins just like the losses and keep pushing forward when things get hard, not only on the mat but in her daily life. She would soon go on to wrestle for California and coach a local high school where she learned to advocate for her wrestlers and teach them how to persevere through the tough times. This led Leili into her future as a student nurse advocating for fellow peers and patients.
Her instinct of caring for others runs through three generations. It started with her grandmother, who was the Director of Nursing of Neurology at Sutter Medical Center for over a decade. Her father then joined the same department at 18 years old working as CNA for over 15 years which led him to become a Registered EEG technician. Leili followed suit by working on the very same floor as a CNA and decided to pursue a nursing degree so she can eventually return to that ward.
Winning the DAISY AWARD in October of 2024 at her pinning ceremony, she is duly recognized for her skills, talents, advocation for other students pursuing their careers, and being the voice for patients to receive the care they deserve.
Tell me about yourself.
I am 27 years old. I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. I have two amazing sons and a husband who has pushed me to pursue my career as a Nurse.
How did that happen?
A few years ago, my husband made the transition from a sales career into law enforcement, and I stood by his side through the trials and tribulations he faced going through the Academy. Once he graduated, he then pushed me to follow my heart and apply to Carrington College to further my healthcare career as a Nurse. He supported me and the kids through the entirety of the Vocational Nursing program.
And when did you graduate?
I finished my Vocational Nursing certificate program in October of 2024. Today, I am currently enrolled in the Vocational Nursing (Science Emphasis) degree program with Carrington College to get my Associate’s degree which will allow me to apply for their LVN to ADN program.
When did you find out you were being honored with a Student DAISY Award?
I found out on the eve of graduation during the awards portion of our pinning ceremony.
Were you surprised?
Yes! It was an absolute shock. The submission was heartfelt, and I could not believe it was about me. I truly am honored to think someone saw me in such light.
Did you know who sponsored you for the DAISY?
Yes, her name is Stephanie. We happened to be sitting right next to each other at the pinning ceremony! We became good friends in and out of school due to both of us having newborns at the start of our program. You become bonded when having to constantly pump together. Study sessions were more personalized, and we had very similar hurdles to overcome as mothers to multiple children.
Why do you think you were given the DAISY?
I think it’s because I believed so strongly in advocating for others during my time at Carrington College. Being the voice for not only patients but fellow peers. And now working as a nurse in home health care I am the direct link for most patients, between them and their healthcare team. Making sure I use my voice to help them get the care they need is a part of my daily routine.
Where do you think this ability to advocate for others comes from?
Well, growing up in a sport that was predominantly male at such a young age taught me to speak up for myself. My dad enrolled me in a local club team when I was 7 years old, there were only two other girls on the team. I was taken from gymnastics with bows and cute leotards to headgear and singlets. My dad told me from a young age I must be as tough as I am smart. Don’t let these boys think you can’t speak up for yourself just because you are a girl. There were times I was tossed around but I got back up and kept going. I watched as other young girls through the years had a hard time adjusting so I made sure to use the voice I had built up to help them. This naturally led me to coach and make sure to not only help my students on the mat but in the classroom. I would help my wrestlers with classes and even talk to the teachers if a student seemed to be having a difficult time. Advocating for others is a part of who I am, always will be.
Sounds like you were already naturally caring about others then; when did you know you wanted to work in nursing?
I honestly avoided healthcare for a long time due to my close family ties to the industry. But when I was younger my grandmother (the nurse mentioned before) became severely ill due to a spinal surgery gone wrong. This led her to months of hospitalization and inevitably to hospice care. My grandmother was sent home to die and with the little voice that she could use, she told me I am going to help her get better. I was a young girl and did whatever I could to help even with the little knowledge I had of healthcare. She went on to teach me about medications, procedures, and diseases that would help me care for her in the healing process. She ended up graduating hospice a few years later and is currently back working as a Registered Nurse at the same home health agency as me. We work alongside each other, and she still teaches me things to this day. She is my superhero, my motivation to push through the hard times.
Wow. Powerful story. How does the Student DAISY Award represent the best nursing students to you?
I think the biggest thing is remembering the commitment we are making as future nurses. Which is connecting and caring for those around us. As students, we are told our focus is supposed to be learning, studying, and getting through school. That means you can get lost in all the schoolwork and forget what is at the heart of nursing, which is caring for and listening to the patient. I think that’s what the DAISY Award helps signify.
Congratulations on a well-deserved honor.
Thank you! I hope someone can read this and become motivated to pursue their dreams at Carrington College.