For Jaena Sparks ‘24, nursing is not just a job – it's a calling.

While working in a nursing home as a certified nursing assistant, she found the "experience of connecting with residents, providing care, and becoming part of their lives was incredibly fulfilling," Sparks said, adding that these "powerful" bonds created during the "most vulnerable moments" made it clear that nursing "was what I was meant to do."

The Fontana resident was drawn to San Bernardino Valley College's Nursing program because of its "excellent" reputation in the community. Her mom is a registered nurse (RN) who "always told me how hospitals highly regard SBVC nurses because of the strong foundation the program provides," Sparks said. "From day one, I could see that this was true."

She immediately found the faculty and staff members were "passionate about producing top-notch nurses," Sparks said, and their support and guidance was "instrumental in my success." She excelled in the program, graduating in December with honors, and was chosen as the student speaker for the Nursing graduation and pinning ceremony. In her remarks, Sparks reminded her classmates they were "not just graduates; we’re future nurses with a deep sense of purpose."

In her spare time, Sparks enjoys crocheting and hanging out with her husband, Anders, and their Shih Tzu puppy, Nico. She is also preparing for the next step in her professional journey: taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become an RN. Her ultimate goal is to become an ICU nurse, but Sparks also wants to return to her roots and serve as a clinical instructor at SBVC.

"The Nursing program has had such a positive impact on me, and I would love to give back by guiding future nursing students the same way I was supported," she said.

Jaena Sparks posing with a stethoscope under the SBVC Audetorium