Alumni Association Spotlight: Jennifer Stephenson

“I decided to go back to school later in life after I achieved the highest position as clinical manager at my job in a local doctor’s office. In 1998, my hard work paid off, and I graduated from Nash Community College’s Nursing Program,” Jennifer Stephenson said.

Jennifer’s story began in the early 1990’s when she decided it was the right time to change career fields and go back to school. After much consideration, Jennifer enrolled in the Nursing program at Nash Community College. She was married with a three-year-old daughter and had a very supportive husband; she knew it was the right time.

Jennifer graduated in 1998 with her degree in Nursing and was hired part-time by Nash Health Care Systems in the Emergency Department. Later, Jennifer went to work at the Bryant T. Aldridge Center, and today she serves as the Manager of HealthFirst Wellness Center, a service of Nash Health Care Systems. HealthFirst Wellness Center is an outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation facility with a 250-member medically-based fitness center and community wellness offerings.

Jennifer also works to keep the employees of Nash Health Care Systems healthy as she oversees Employee Wellness Assessments at the hospital, and her department handles approximately 1,200 wellness assessments each year for hospital. She serves as an employee health coach and helps keep employees compliant with their wellness goals. Her department also handles employee wellness screenings for local organizations, including the City of Rocky Mount’s 850 employees.

Jennifer is very connected to the community and the work she does. She is an instructor for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Nash Community College and a North Carolina Board of Nursing evaluator for the National Association for Credential Evaluation Services, the certification test CNAs must pass prior to being placed on the North Carolina Board of Nursing CNA registry. Jennifer is a personal trainer and group exercise instructor and is very active in the American Heart Association.

“Nash Community College made my dream of being a nurse a reality. I love my job and that I can help so many people,” she said.