Meet Sandrine, former refugee and future nurse

Meet Sandrine, former refugee and future nurse.

Photo: Courtesy of Sandrine

21-year-old Sandrine was first welcomed by the IRC in Atlanta in April 2022 after she and her family of seven, originally from Zambia, were resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Talented, driven, and soon co-enrolled in the IRC’s Connect 2 Success and Career Development programs, Sandrine began working with Sam Camirand, Career Pathways Specialist, and Carlos McClaney, Youth Career Readiness Coach, in October 2022 and with their support, completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC).  

Now working for a CNA agency that allows flexible shifts across multiple locations, Sandrine shared, “It’s the kind of job I never thought I would have. As a student, it is very flexible, I can make my own schedule and choose when I want to go to work." Reflecting on the nature of her role, she shared, “Caring for people feels nice. At the end of the day, I feel like I am making a difference when I treat people nice and do for them what they cannot do.” 

Instructional Coordinator at GPTC, Mary Baxter, shared praise for Sandrine’s commitment throughout the program: "Sandrine was an exemplary student in both her ESL class and the CNA program. Her academic excellence was demonstrated at the CNA graduation, where she received an award for the highest score in the class. In addition to being a good student, she displayed kindness and compassion to those around her. Her warm smile and dedication to her work and studies will be an asset to any program or employer as she continues towards her goals." 

With a firm educational foundation established and dreams to grow her medical career, Sandrine worked with Carlos to complete her college application to Georgia State University and her application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and started at the Clarkston campus—majoring in Nursing—in Spring 2023. Sandrine’s CNA role is an asset to her college pursuits: “I will gain experience on how to take care of people and talk with sick people. There is a certain way to talk with sick people. For nursing school, I don’t just need a GPA, but I can show that I have experience in the healthcare field as well.” 

Proud of her success, IRC coach Carlos shared, “After Sandrine enrolled at GSU, I supported her with applying for scholarships and adjusting to life in college. One of her most celebrated successes is enrolling at GSU and being highly successful in her classes. Sandrine plans to graduate from college with a degree in nursing and start her career—we know she will achieve these goals.”

 The CNA role allows Sandrine to provide for herself while studying but is also a key motivator in her medical career journey. “I get to have the experience of caring for people. Even seeing the nurses in action—I get to see what they do, and I can imagine ‘this is what I get to do in the future,’ and I get to see what nursing is all about. We change people, bathe them, brush their teeth, clean their rooms, and feed them. You do a lot, and the patients need you, and they need you to care for them with respect. It can be rewarding, and it’s a great stepping stone for people interested in medicine. The reward of caring for others is something I can’t explain.” 

When asked if she had a message to share with others in the refugee community here in Atlanta, Sandrine shared: “Don’t let what happened in the past define us; we are more than those circumstances, and we can do much more than we think we can. Coming as a refugee might make you think you don’t deserve certain things, but that experience doesn’t define you.” 

Getting her bachelor’s degree in nursing is only one of many goals for Sandrine: “Career wise – being a doctor is the dream. Personally, I want to start a family and buy a home. I am a strong believer of God and I do believe that I haven't gotten where I am by myself.” We look forward to supporting and celebrating Sandrine as she continues to meet her goals and achieve her dreams! 

Our Career Pathways program is currently recruiting students for our Certified Nursing Assistant, Dental Assistant, Phlebotomist, and Pharmacy Technician career pathways. To learn more, email Sam Camirand at [email protected] or call 470-510-6190 today! 

To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Development Director, Heloise Ahoure, at [email protected] or 678-636-8941.  

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