Highly interested in getting those around her to feel, look, and be their best, Lori Ruiz is the prime example of what it means to be actively encouraging her students while simultaneously juggling the hats of student, mom, and director of health services within Freer Independent School District in Freer, Texas. Completing her second bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance this December 2023, Lori Ruiz is not only excited to embark on the next journey before her but also start her long awaited career of becoming a practicing nurse and counselor for high school athletes in her school. Hoping to make a difference in how students view their relationship between fitness, mental health, and school priorities, Lori is eager to make a lasting difference in the lives of her athletes, staff members, and family.聽
From High School Athlete to High School Nurse
Like many active kids, Lori was a big fan of exercise and high-energy games. Thinking back to her time in high school, Lori always knew she enjoyed health and fitness 鈥� how it made her feel and the wondrous aspects of what it meant to be an athlete. Lori remembers fondly how much she enjoyed volleyball. Smiling as she recalls her high school years, Lori says she 鈥渁lways liked just being active. It made [her] feel things [she] never did before, so high school was pretty fun overall.鈥� Walking the halls and thinking about where she could take her life next, Lori decided that she didn鈥檛 want to leave her community for long.聽
Hoping to stay close-by her friends and family, she set off and attended Coastal Bend College聽 (formally Bee County College) in Beeville, Texas and majored in nursing, where she was able to fall in love with healthcare and assisting those in need around her.聽
鈥淚 always knew I wanted to go to college and wanted to be someone that could impact others,鈥� Lori said. 鈥淎nd since I was a high school athlete myself, I knew I wanted to come back to Freer and help students who were just like me. I wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me.鈥澛�
After graduating and completing her nursing exams, Lori was officially a registered nurse. And, whether it was luck or God鈥檚 ultimate plan, Lori began to work right back where her first love started all along 鈥� Freer ISD. Like many college graduates, Lori was scouting for jobs left and right. It just so happened that her home base, her alma mater, the place where her love for students and sports started, needed someone just like her. And just like that, she was a high school nurse 鈥� the career she always wanted to have.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty incredible to think about the fact that I got a job here,鈥� Lori explained. 鈥淚 tell my students, 鈥楴ever say never,鈥� and in many ways, it鈥檚 true. I never thought I would come back, and here I am.鈥澛�
Finding 精东影业 Online
With a spirit and positive attitude like Lori鈥檚, it was no surprise that her supervisor noticed something in her. After speaking with her about potential promotions within Freer ISD, specifically the district’s need for a nurse with knowledge surrounding kinesiology and common athletic issues, Lori was prompted to look online for more information on potential schools that catered to adults looking to enhance their careers. With that goal in mind, Lori started looking and found an advertisement for an online degree through 精东影业 in health and human performance. Bingo! She found it, and now it was time to 鈥� once again 鈥� go back to school. And while some might consider a second bachelor’s degree as a waste or a step back, to Lori, this was a step forward.聽
鈥淚 always considered myself a life-long learner,鈥� Lori remarked. 鈥淭he idea of going back to school was kind of scary, but not something I was afraid of doing. I knew this was going to be beneficial to my career and so, I jumped in.鈥澛�
Within a matter of days, Lori went from seeing the advertisement to being enrolled. One thing Lori distinctly remembers is 鈥渉ow easy they made the whole process鈥� considering her full-time job as a school nurse and mom. And while cost and flexibility were things she greatly considered prior to selecting 精东影业 Online, the most important selling point for her was 精东影业鈥檚 emphasis on Christian formation and career development.聽
鈥淔or me personally, I just felt like 精东影业 was the place for me. They knew that work and my family were big priorities for me,鈥� Lori said. 鈥淎s a mom and full-time high school nurse, it was really important for me to feel like I had that support from my professors to keep going even when I felt like I couldn鈥檛 do it anymore. 鈥澛�
Looking Outward Beyond Graduation
In December 2023, Lori graduated with her second bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance. And although she was unable to walk the stage, Lori is proud of her hard work and dedication all these years leading up to this moment. Passing all her courses with flying colors, Lori now sees how far she鈥檚 come. Celebrating her 25th year as a practicing nurse, Lori hopes to start using her degree to treat students with athletic injuries on-site, knowing the pain and struggles that come with that.聽
鈥淎s an athlete, when you get hurt, you might feel like the world has ended,鈥� Lori explained. 鈥淎nd that’s where I see my job come in. I want to remind our students that their lives are not over. They can still make a difference and reach the goal they set for themselves 鈥� even if they don鈥檛 fully recover.鈥澛�
Now, serving as the director of health services for Freer ISD, Lori is already thinking about what her next step will be. Hoping to start her master鈥檚 in Marriage and Family Therapy with 精东影业 Online, Lori believes there is a reason why God has taken her through this path. From nursing to sports medicine, Lori senses that the underlying thread has always been, students and their mental well-being. To her, there鈥檚 a need in schools to take care of students with serious problems at home and in their personal relationships聽 鈥� and she would love to fill that gap. Whether she鈥檚 assisting a student or cheering on her football athletes from the sidelines, Lori knows the pressures that come with high school. And, for once, she would like to be a person who they can feel free to talk with.聽
鈥淚 have a heart for students and all the things that come with high school, classes, college, sports, and relationships,鈥� Lori said. 鈥淚 was there myself, and I think getting a better grasp of counseling and therapy can really help me, help them.鈥澛�
Lori鈥檚 time at 精东影业 Online is far from over, according to her. The journey has been long, but it鈥檚 been so worth it. Had it not been for 精东影业 Online, Lori believes she wouldn鈥檛 have become the nurse and student advocate she is today. Every day, she tells her students to never give up on their dreams. As Lori would say, 鈥淵ou never know when those dreams will come true, so keep pushing forward. You鈥檒l find your way soon enough.鈥澛�
Interested in getting more information about 精东影业 Online? Visit our website or call 855-219-7300 to learn how you can step into a fulfilling, innovative future at 精东影业 Online.