Passionate Norman graduated from the Baptist Health Sciences University in December 2013 with 106 other students.
During the ceremony, she received the International Nursing Honor Society Award, Sigma Theta Tau. Baptist University faculty gives the award to a student based on scholarship, honesty and integrity. Passionate was a mentor to junior students, and one professor called her an inspiration to many other students and faculty.
“She never faltered, and she was so true to her name,” said Phyllis Jean, assistant professor of nursing at Baptist University. “She was passionate about becoming a nurse, and that was very evident in her personality and her interactions.”
Passionate started school at Tennessee State University but realized it was not the right place for her. She then began looking at nursing programs in the Memphis area. After a lot of praying, she felt like God was pushing her toward the College. She loved the Christian atmosphere and knew it would be a place where she could grow as a person.
“Nursing school was such a challenge, but being in a Christian environment was always so uplifting,” said Passionate. “I loved being in an environment with people who had the same goals and values as I did.”
During Passionate’s time at the College, she lost her mother while also having to be a mother to her own daughter. Though balancing life and school was very difficult for her, she never let it keep her from reaching her goals. She used the experience as motivation to succeed in her studies, build relationships with others and grow as a person.
“My mother always told me she wanted me to be better than she was,” Passionate said. “She was my motivation, and what she instilled in me is what made me keep going.”
Passionate now works in the emergency department at Baptist DeSoto. She loves her job and the hours that allow her more time to spend with family.
“My time at Baptist University was a life-changing experience,” she said. “I know it’s not easy and you can’t always be perfect, but you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Baptist Health Sciences University provides quality education in a Christian atmosphere to prepare health care professionals for diverse practice environments. Building on an educational legacy with Baptist Memorial Health Care that began in 1912, Baptist University offers nine bachelor’s degree programs: biomedical sciences, diagnostic medical sonography, health care management, medical laboratory sciences, medical radiography, nuclear medicine technology, nursing, radiation therapy and respiratory care. For more information about Baptist University, please visit www.bchs.edu or call 866-575-BCHS (2247).
