When Sabrina Williams graduated from high school, her mother, a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), talked her into following in her footsteps.
“To my surprise, I loved being a CNA,” says Sabrina, who grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “I worked in long-term care, and I truly enjoyed helping residents get ready each day and look and feel beautiful. Some of them didn’t have families visiting them, so I took it seriously to care for them.”
Encouraged to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Sabrina’s supervisor nudged her to take the next step in her career. “She told me every day that I would be a good nurse and that more education would allow me to expand my career options,” she says. After six years as a CNA, Sabrina finally enrolled in an LPN program and finished in 2011.
In 2012, Sabrina signed on with a healthcare staffing agency. Over the next 13 years, she gained experience in an array of different clinical settings throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. “I worked mainly in long-term care, but I also did contract work at a drug and alcohol treatment center and a hospital in the medical-surgical orthopedic unit,” Sabrina says.
A Passion for Education and Learning
Through her professional journey, Sabrina has discovered a love of learning in the educational and clinical settings. “When working in the hospital, I saw how important registered nurses are, so I decided to go back to school,” she says. She completed the Associate Degree of Nursing in 2024. The dean of the nursing program told Sabrina about the competency-based RN to BSN SIMPath® program at American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Post University.
“I liked that I could earn the BSN quickly if I really dedicated myself to it,” Sabrina says. She enrolled in the BSN program in November 2024. “Everyone I talked to from day one at Post was responsive and nice, from professors to student success advisors. Post made a great first impression, and Melissa, my advisor, helped me every step of the way. I felt safe and comfortable with this program. It seemed meant to be.”
Celebrating with Friends at Post University’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony
Sabrina completed the BSN in March 2025. A few months earlier, two close friends she met during her ADN program also earned their bachelor’s degrees from Post University. The three celebrated by walking at commencement in May. “That was special,” Sabrina admits. “I appreciated having friends to lean on for support and encouragement during the BSN.”
A New Job and a Plan for the Future
In March 2025, Sabrina was offered a full-time supervisor position at a long-term care facility where she had previously worked as a contract LPN. “They had talked to me about this opportunity before I became an RN,” she says. Now, in a full-circle milestone, she leads the center’s team of LPNs and CNAs. Sabrina also works at a drug and alcohol rehab center on a per diem basis. “I love the variety, which allows me to keep learning new skills.”
As for her future career, Sabrina is excited to continue to grow. Down the road, she is interested in working in the emergency room setting. “You learn many specialties in the ER, so it’s great exposure,” she says.
Another goal is to teach. “I want to earn the Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Specialization, and obviously I would return to Post!” says Sabrina, who teaches a phlebotomy class on the side. “I have always enjoyed training others, and I can see myself being a clinical instructor or teaching new nurses in an ADN or BSN program. Every nurse has to start somewhere, and I like making new nurses feel comfortable as they learn about patient care and best practices.”
A Strong Endorsement for her Alma Mater
Completing a BSN while working full time and being a wife and a mom to three boys (and three dogs) certainly brought about some stress, but Sabrina says that Post University made it feasible.
“The BSN program itself was not easy, but I expected that,” Sabrina says. “What was easy was the admissions and enrollment process, the support, the way classes are structured, and the availability of resources when I needed them. Busy nurses with kids and responsibilities beyond their jobs can absolutely make it work. If I could walk around wearing a poster board that says, ‘Go to Post,’ I would!”