Gadsden, AL – Nicole Wilson, a devoted mother and seasoned healthcare professional, has recently added a new chapter to her already remarkable story. After more than two decades of navigating the healthcare field and serving honorably in the U.S. Navy, Wilson has earned credentials in phlebotomy and medication assistance from Gadsden State Community College’s Skills Training Division. This accomplishment reflects her unwavering commitment to healthcare, despite facing significant personal and health challenges.
“I’m excited to do what I love to do and do it well,” Wilson shared. “I’m thrilled to be a healthcare provider.”
Wilson’s life has been marked by extensive travel and service. As a child, she journeyed with her family across the globe due to her father’s service in the U.S. Air Force, living in places like Guam, Germany, California, Arkansas, Florida, and Mississippi. She even attended eighth grade at an Austrian boarding school. In 1990, Wilson enrolled at Weaver High School in Calhoun County after her family moved for her father’s work at the Anniston Army Depot. A year later, at just 16, she graduated from high school and joined a pilot program at Job Corps in Gadsden, setting the stage for her enlistment in the U.S. Navy at 18.
Wilson served in the Navy for four years, stationed in Alaska and Washington. In 2000, she became a certified nursing assistant (CNA), receiving on-the-job training at Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation. For the next 22 years, she worked at various rehabilitation centers and hospitals, including seven years as a travel CNA, taking assignments in Montana, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska.
However, between 2020 and 2023, Wilson’s life took a challenging turn. In September 2020, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis that thrust Wilson into a new role as a caregiver while she continued to work as a psychiatric technician and office coordinator at Riverview Regional Medical Center. Just three months later, Wilson’s father, Ricky J. Wilson Sr., passed away unexpectedly, a loss that deeply affected her.
“I was devastated,” Wilson recalled. “He was a man of integrity; a man who believed in hard work. I got that from him. I learned a lot from him.”
Wilson’s trials continued in November 2022 when she underwent exploratory surgery to address severe nutritional issues following a gastric bypass surgery in 2016. What was expected to be a brief procedure turned into a six-hour operation, during which doctors discovered a herniated gastric pouch in her diaphragm, weakening her esophagus. The complications led to a 38-day hospital stay during which Wilson faced life-threatening conditions twice.
“I almost died twice. I was so sick,” Wilson said, reflecting on her harrowing experience.
This health crisis forced Wilson to reconsider her career. The physical demands of her job were no longer feasible, leading her to seek a new path. In 2023, after a specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital corrected a severe complication related to her gastric bypass, Wilson began her journey back to health and the workforce.
“I couldn’t push, pull, or tug anymore,” she explained. “I couldn’t sit at a desk and assist patients. I couldn’t be hands-on because I was constantly sick. I couldn’t be productive and provide quality work.”
With her long-term disability benefits expiring, Wilson turned to Britney Knox at the Department of Human Resources in Calhoun County for help. She joined the A-Reset Program, designed for Calhoun County residents who have previously worked and are looking to re-enter the workforce. Through this program, Wilson discovered the Skills Training programs at Gadsden State and applied for scholarships to pursue phlebotomy and medication assistant credentials.
“I wanted to increase my skillset and stay in healthcare without the physical aspect,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s perseverance paid off. She maintained an A in her phlebotomy classes, completed her clinicals at RMC in Anniston, and successfully completed the medication assistant program. On August 6, she delivered the invocation during the pinning ceremony for the Skills Training completers, a proud moment not only for Wilson but also for her family, who have a history of attending Gadsden State.
Wilson’s mother, Jeannette, who is now in remission, attended Gadsden State in 1971, and her children, Alex and Alexis, also graduated from the institution. Jeannette expressed pride in her daughter’s achievements, noting that Nicole had “bloomed” through her educational journey.
Alex Wilson, who earned an associate degree from Gadsden State before pursuing further studies and becoming a music teacher, praised his mother’s perseverance and success. “I’m very proud of my mother,” he said. “Taking college courses was something completely new to her. I was so amazed by her perseverance. It’s a great feeling to see my mother succeed.”
Similarly, Alexis Wilson, who also graduated from Gadsden State, was inspired by her mother’s determination. “I watched her study until 3 a.m.,” she said. “I was about to give up but I kept going because if my mom can do it, I can, too.”
Wilson’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and the power of education. As she embarks on this new chapter in her healthcare career, she continues to be a source of inspiration for her family and community.
For more information about the Skills Training Division at Gadsden State Community College, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/Skills-Training.
