29-Year-Old Man Overcomes Odds, Earns Nursing Degree from New York University

In an inspiring tale of resilience, 29-year-old Frank Baez achieved his dream of earning a bachelor's degree in nursing from New York University (NYU), the same institution where he once worked as a janitor to fund his education.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Baez moved to New York City at the age of 15 with his mother. Determined to contribute financially to his family, he took on a janitorial job at NYU's Langone Tisch Hospital. While cleaning, he observed the dedicated nurses at the hospital, igniting a desire to pursue a career in nursing.

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Despite facing language barriers when he started working at NYU, Baez reflected on his journey, saying, "I could barely speak English at the time when I started working at NYU. Now I reflect on it and I feel very proud of how much I accomplished."

Motivated by the nurses' advocacy for patients and their passion for the job, Baez enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Hunter College, becoming the first in his family to attend college. He later returned to NYU to complete his Nursing degree.

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"I just studied a lot and worked a lot. I felt that I wanted to do something more for myself, that I deserved better, and that I wanted to continue to move forward and grow and go on with my life. What I did was, I never gave up," expressed Baez.

His determination led him to set ambitious goals for the future. Baez plans to become a critical care nurse in a United States intensive care unit (ICU), showcasing how education, hard work, and perseverance can overcome challenges.