He chose to study nursing after personal tragedy struck in 2019, when medical staff in Santo Domingo failed to advocate for his sister, Jenny, who died of a brain aneurysm.
“My sister visited several times in the time-lapse of three days to which the staff refused to do scans or further investigations, instead sent her home with Tylenol. The medical staff did not advocate for her when she was searching for help, and that is why I chose this career so I am able to advocate for my patients, and they will not have to go through what I went through.”
"I chose this career so I am able to advocate for my patients, and they will not have to go through what I went through.”
Daniel had been living in Nashua since 2019, and enrolled at Nashua Community College for its convenience. He was also working full-time at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua – first in housekeeping, then as an ER Tech – where he heard positive reviews from colleagues about studying nursing at NCC.
At NCC, he faced the challenge of balancing the demands of work, life, and school. “Working 12-hour shifts in the ER then having to go straight to school or to do clinicals at another facility with no sleep. The only way I was able to complete homework most of the time was doing it at work whenever I was able to get a chance.”
Although there were lighter moments, like evading the Nursing Department Assistant, Cheryl Turner, “My favorite memory from the program would be running away from Cheryl because she always had a lot of papers to sign, I was never on time, I was in a rush to get to class.”
Paper work aside, he found the Nursing team supportive, during his time there. “I would like to say how compassionate all of the instructors were at NCC in the nursing program, you can tell how much they enjoy and have passion in teaching, making sure everyone is on the same page.”
The overall experience was whirlwind, “Trying to balance having time with my fiancé now wife and friends while trying to manage school and work, while also trying to find time to work on my fitness; maintaining a social life is very difficult I would say.”
But Daniel fit major life milestones during the program, “I also had my first baby in the last semester of school before graduating, studying for finals while having a newborn was not easy but I managed to get it done.”
After graduation in May 2025, Daniel continued his work at St. Joseph Hospital in the ER. “I have had nothing but great experiences, I have gotten multiple compliments from doctors, and patients because I make sure to advocate for them every shift, from small to big, including answering the call lights.”
For prospective nursing students, he shared some advice, “Make sure you always allow yourself extra time than you’re accounting for, and if possible, to try to get a couple weeks ahead of homework and in reading, to give yourself grace.”
