January 28, 2019

Single mother, aspiring nurse wins scholarship to complete nursing exam

Nursing grad among 15 PTK members nationwide to win NCLEX scholarship
BY: Danny Barrett Jr.

JACKSON – L’Shay Hayes graduated from Hinds Community College in Associate Degree Nursing this past fall, though she’s excelled at juggling motherhood and school each day the past few years.

 

L’Shay Hayes

Hayes, 25, of Jackson, was recognized in January by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society among 15 of its members nationwide who were awarded a Hurst Review NCLEX® Scholarship to help cover the cost of exam fees and study materials.

 

“It’s been a struggle these past two years with school and being a mom to my five-year-old son, Landon,” Hayes said. “But, there’s so many opportunities like this through Hinds Community College that people just don’t know about.”

 

Hayes was a member of the Alpha Iota Kappa chapter of PTK, based at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center. The scholarship, funded by national nursing exam prep company Hurst Review Services, is exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa nursing majors who plan to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®). Hurst Scholars will receive a code to cover the cost of study materials and a cash award to cover exam fees.

 

She plans to pursue becoming a certified nephrology nurse after successful completion of her exam, then continue her nursing studies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

 

“I’m already working as a kidney dialysis nurse and I enjoy working with my patients,” she said.

The NCLEX® is a standardized exam given by each state’s board of nursing to determine if RN or LPN/LVN candidates are competent for entry-level nursing practice. In addition to the scholarship, Brookhaven-based Hurst also provides a $50 discount on NCLEX study materials – including the company’s newest product, N-STREAM – for all Phi Theta Kappa members preparing to take the exam.