Juanita Nicolas’ road to Union was not a straight line due north from her home in Dallas. Through all the detours life has thrown at her, she is confident of one thing: God has been with her on this journey.
When she was just nine years old, Juanita’s mother left their family and chose a different life. Juanita describes it as a devastating time. This major detour caused her dad to stop and reflect on where his life was going. He started attending church and taking Juanita with him. She learned to love church and Jesus. Church and school were the focus of her young life, but then another detour appeared.
When Juanita was in eighth grade, her father was diagnosed with colon cancer. Every spare moment was spent with him in the hospital. Although she didn鈥檛 know it then, this dark time was when her love for the nursing ministry began. Juanita prayed, 鈥減lease don鈥檛 let my dad die.鈥
Her dad鈥檚 prayer? 鈥淚f it鈥檚 my time to go, please let my daughter be in good hands. Let me see her in heaven.鈥
Fortunately, Juanita鈥檚 prayers were answered, and her dad is now cancer free. 鈥淥ne of the reasons my faith is so strong is because I鈥檝e seen Jesus through my dad,鈥 says Juanita.
With hospital bills on top living expenses, the family struggled financially. How was she going to stay in an Adventist high school? One day, a hospital employee came into her dad鈥檚 room, had him complete a form, left, and they never saw her again. According to the form, the hospital had agreed to cover all of her father’s treatment expenses. To this day, they believe she was an angel.
Juanita struggled when she first enrolled at a nearby public university. So she took a semester off and began caring for a patient with autism 鈥 which further fueled her interest in nursing. At the encouragement of some friends, she explored Union’s Nursing Program and learned about the foot clinic and Global Health Nursing mission trip. 鈥淭hose two things really pulled me toward Union,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he service portion 鈥 that鈥檚 what I love. Just going out there and showing Jesus to the people.鈥
During this time, she prayed, 鈥淟ord, nursing is very much your hands and feet. If I鈥檓 going to follow this career path, I鈥檓 going to do it with you.鈥 She applied to Union in December 2022 and was accepted into the program.
鈥淚 had never been to Nebraska,鈥 she laughs. 鈥淚 needed to come see this place for myself.鈥 She quickly fell in love with Union鈥檚 close-knit community. 鈥淚 appreciate the Union family so much,鈥 she says.
鈥淚鈥檝e had to take out loans, and I work to help pay for college,鈥 says Juanita. 鈥淏ut so many people have helped me, whether it was $5 or a scholarship, even a simple smile. It all means so much.鈥 When she received a donor-funded scholarship, Juanita remembers marveling, 鈥淥ut of all the people, you chose to help me?鈥
She wants Union’s supporters to know their faith in her future, someone they have never meant, means the world to her. 鈥淚 want to take every opportunity I鈥檝e been given and make the most of it,鈥 she says confidently. “The Lord has been so good. I know He has provided for me.鈥
If your road through life ever intersects with Juanita’s, be forewarned a hug may be coming your way. 鈥淢e, personally, if I were to ever meet the people who paid for my scholarship, I would just give them a huge hug. I would say, thank you, cry, and then give them another big huge hug.”
To support students like Juanita, give online at ucollege.edu/giving or contact the Advancement Office for more giving opportunities.