What started as a backup plan for Maria Corazon (Cora) Hinson turned into a fulfilling career journey that she could not have planned any better.
When Cora started at College of the Canyons, she planned to major in psychology but applied to the nursing program just in case. “The program had a long waitlist and was competitive,” says Cora, who was born in the Philippines and raised between there and California. “I was very excited to be accepted. Nursing is a common and respected profession among Filipinos, so my mother encouraged me down that path.” Cora finished the Associate Degree of Nursing in 2007.
There was another reason Cora aspired to become a nurse. “Throughout my childhood, my mom had diabetic kidney disease and was in and out of the hospital,” she says. Scary as it was, the medical setting became familiar to Cora, and the nurses who cared for her mother became her heroes. “I saw their intelligence and passion for the science of nursing, but what I admired most was how they treated my mom. They were kind and caring.”
A Start on the Telemetry Neurology/Neurosurgical Unit
After passing her nursing board exams, newly graduated Cora joined Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills as a Registered Nurse on the telemetry neurology/neurosurgical unit. She jumped at the chance to cross-train as a float nurse for the definitive observation unit, a stepdown for the intensive care unit. In 2014, she transitioned to the medical-surgical unit, where she honed her skills as a charge nurse. Cora also decided to go back to school for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a University in California.
When her mom passed away in 2015, Cora sought a change of environment—and Kaiser Permanente had a need in the emergency department. When she finished the BSN in 2016, she made the switch. “Being an ER nurse was something I wanted to do right out of nursing school, so I loved that experience,” she says.
A New City, A New Educational Pursuit
When Cora married her husband, the couple—who had been dating long distance—chose to move to Bakersfield, California. Kaiser Permanente had an opening at an urgent care center, which Cora accepted. “I was working around many physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and that got me thinking maybe I could become an NP,” she says.
Kaiser Permanente’s Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust provides employees opportunities to advance their education and grow their careers. “Our education department came in to talk with employees about the options,” Cora says. With two young daughters and a full-time job, Cora sought convenience as well as quality. “I needed school to be family-friendly and work-friendly.”
The career counselor told Cora to look at Post University’s Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) Specialization . “I really liked the program,” she says. “I considered two other universities’ MSN-FNP programs, but Post incorporates an APEA 3P predictor exam into the curriculum, which I appreciated. The program seemed challenging, flexible and affordable.”
Inspired—and Pushed—to Succeed
Cora enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization at Post University, in January 2024. Thus far, she is receiving exactly the kind of education she hoped she would. “Everyone at Post University wants you to succeed, and the faculty and staff are always there for you when you have questions or need help,” Cora says. “My student success advisor has been amazing. I recommend Post to my coworkers all the time. The MSN-FNP program is well-organized and challenging.”
Big Goals for a Bright Future
Cora has several goals in mind as she works toward a target completion date of the summer of 2026.
Long term, Cora intends to continue to grow her career with Kaiser Permanente, which will require her to leave to obtain a year of nurse practitioner experience and return. Down the road, she would welcome the chance to teach new nurses too. “I would be honored to share my knowledge that I’ve gained as a nurse with others pursuing the field,” Cora says.
On a personal note, Cora wants to be a role model for her daughters, who are just two and four years old. “I want to instill in them a love of education and a commitment to lifelong learning,” she says. “My mom always had a dream to get a college degree and work hard, and I’m sure that’s why she always pushed me to do so. She wanted me to do what she didn’t have the opportunity to do. I want to inspire my daughters in the same way.”