Cal State L.A.’s 69-year-old nursing major Beverly Brown is proof that you’re never too old to learn.
“My interest in teaching and learning has inspired me to keep striving,” said Beverly, who will complete her Master of Science in Nursing requirements at Cal State L.A. this spring and will study for her comprehensive exams next.
Hoping to impart some of her knowledge and experience, Beverly wants to encourage those younger than her to never give up on their dreams and visions.
“Disappointments may occur from time to time on this journey of life; however, never accept defeat,” she said.
Through ups and downs, Beverly has been an example of drive and persistence. She has been working in the field of nursing for more than 35 years, where she has fulfilled various roles in management and intensive care nursing.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Wayne State University. She was commissioned in the Army Nurse Corp as a first lieutenant right after college, and retired honorably from the Army Reserves as captain in 1994.
In 2000, Beverly returned back to school, ultimately earning a master’s degree in organizational management at the University of Phoenix. She also received a graduate certificate in health care systems teaching from Eastern Michigan University in 2007.
Not one to rest on her laurels, she then decided to attend Cal State L.A. due to its premiere nursing program.
“Cal State L.A.’s nursing program has a culture that aims for excellent academic achievement, and moreover, the university’s outreach programs positively connect the community,” she added.
While at Cal State L.A., she was awarded The Cunningham Scholarship and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Army Meritorious Award Medal.
In addition to her studies, Beverly currently works for the Glendale Memorial Hospital as a staff nurse in the rehabilitation unit and serves as a basic life instructor for the American Heart Association.
She is also actively involved as a volunteer minister at the L.A. Rescue Mission, and also volunteers for the American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Program. She recently joined the Corvette of Choice Sports Car Club, which supports various community activities throughout southern California.
As she prepares to begin her next journey to become a teacher in a community college setting, she looks to Cal State L.A. nursing faculty as master teachers.
“Dr. Evelyn Cavillo and Dr. Gail Washington have demonstrated ‘the art of teaching’ in the classroom setting. I consider both professors as my role models as I go forward in the teaching arena,” she said. “Both aforementioned professors were as the late Maya Angelou described ‘a rainbow in someone's cloud.’ They have been my rainbow.”
Links of interest:
Department of Nursing at Cal State L.A.: http://web.calstatela.edu/academic/hhs/nursing/
College of Health and Human Services at Cal State L.A.: http://web.calstatela.edu/academic/hhs/
6/4/2014