Friendship and fresh starts: Health Care Assistant students graduate together
Abigail McDurmond, left, and Mya Cole became friends after meeting in their Health Care Assistant Program studies.
Two Meridian Community College graduates who walked across the stage to receive their certificates said the Health Care Assistant Program not only set them on a new career path it also brought them a close friendship they didn’t expect.
Abigail McDurmond, 24, and Mya Cole, 20, both of Meridian, met on the first day of class. They both said they were focused on keeping to themselves, doing their work, and heading home. But that plan didn’t last long.
“We sat next to each other and started snickering about little stuff,” McDurmond said. “Within the first week, we were super close.”
The two soon became study and clinical partners. They grabbed meals together and spent time talking outside of class. Their friendship grew; McDurmond invited Cole to her gender reveal. Cole laughed as she admitted she didn’t have much choice.
“I’m so glad we met,” McDurmond said. “I usually don’t talk to people, but we started talking, and I’m glad we did.”
Both students came to the program with plans to reset their futures.
McDurmond entered the healthcare field after a frightening moment while working in fast food. A coworker collapsed, hit his head, and had a seizure. McDurmond rushed over, performed CPR, and helped save his life.
“It made me realize I didn’t need to be in food. I needed to be in healthcare,” she said. “This is where I’m supposed to be.”
Her goal is to continue her education and become a licensed practical nurse, with hopes of working in pediatrics. She now works as a private caregiver at a local retirement home and said the job has confirmed her decision. “It’s great. I love it,” she said.
Cole’s path has been harder. She began taking prerequisite classes for MCC’s LPN program, but during that time, she became pregnant and later lost her baby. She then switched to another nursing track, but was not able to continue after struggling in the coursework.
“I ended up in HCA to get a fresh start — to use it as a stepping stone to get where I need to be,” she said. She also plans to pursue a practical nursing degree and hopes to work in neonatal care. Cole currently works as a shift leader at a local fast-food restaurant.
In the classroom, the pair helped push each other. Cole said McDurmond “aced every test.” McDurmond nudged her back: “You did good, too. You’ve got a cap and gown in your hand.”
Both students chose MCC because it was close to home and offered strong opportunities and scholarships. The two, who even picked up their caps and gowns together, said the program gave them more than training.
It gave them each other.
And as they move toward their healthcare career goals, they plan to stay in touch. “We’re both more to ourselves,” McDurmond said. “But now we’ve got this friendship. I’m super glad we became friends.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/nursing.