Luray resident Jaleesa Frye is steadily building the nursing career of her dreams, one stackable credential at a time.
After graduating from Luray High School in 2007, Frye attended Ferrum College for a couple of years, majoring in social work and minoring in sociology, but left prior to graduation. She then spent a dozen years working as a nurse aide.
“My goal is to eventually apply to the Registered Nursing Program at Laurel Ridge,” she said.
That led to her enrolling in Laurel Ridge’s Medical Assistant Program in 2022.
“Because of my experience of being a nursing assistant, I decided to take the medical assistant class first, and then shortly after started the LPN program at Laurel Ridge,” said Frye. “I wanted to take the medical assistant class because it would give me experience. [Instructor] Ms. Janet Mayes taught us how to draw blood, we went over medical terminology and received a foundational education for the LPN program. I’m glad that I did it because it was really helpful.”
In 2023, Frye graduated with her practical nursing certificate. She said the Practical Nursing Program was “great.”
“I think my favorite class was med-surg,” Frye said. “My favorite professor was (then-Health Professions Director) Kristina Simpson. She has an extensive background in nursing. She has some really cool stories and made everything relatable because she had been a nurse before coming to the college.”
Frye has been working at Skyview Springs Rehab and Nursing Center in Luray for about a year after spending a year-and-a-half doing psychiatric nursing in Winchester. And, she is continuing to take classes at Laurel Ridge in preparation for applying to the college’s practical-nursing-to-registered-nursing bridge program.
“I’ve been in the medical field for a long time now,” said Frye. “Life happens some times and you just wait longer than expected, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a nurse. I have really enjoyed my time at Laurel Ridge. Ms. Janet Mayes was a really good teacher. She has so much experience. It’s been a good experience. I’m 36, and it’s never too late to get your education.”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.