A Journey From Heartbreak To Making A Difference

Amy Freeman is no stranger to hardship. Life has thrown many challenges her way, but she has pushed through each one, transforming her life and career in a meaningful way.

Freeman, 39, is a divorced mother of three who works as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at a home care company. She expects to graduate in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Arkansas. Her career goal is to become a licensed nurse practitioner in a mental health program.

“When I was in LPN school, I was scared of mental health,” Freeman recalled. “I did not know what to expect. When I went to do my clinicals at a locked-down facility, there were people who have been in crisis. Once they had calmed down and had time to think, they were able to have a new beginning.  I enjoyed helping them. I could relate to some of them, because I had been there, too. I went through a pregnancy while being told that my baby was not going to make it through delivery. It was very heartbreaking for me. This drew me even more to people with mental health issues because grief is hard to go through.”

In 2011, Freeman was pregnant with a baby with severe birth defects. Though she was told the infant would not survive, she was able to take her baby girl home at 3 ½ weeks old. There were health issues and among them, the insertion of a shunt—a catheter that drained fluid from her brain to her abdomen—that required regular care and assessment. Sadly, the baby developed an infection in the shunt, and she passed away at 7 ½ weeks old.

The experience fueled Freeman’s desire to keep this type of loss from ever happening again. With her newfound purpose and drive, Freeman changed her career path from teaching to nursing. She earned her LPN at a local technical college. While still a student, she was able to save a life.

“In clinicals one day, I noticed my patient had a fever and some of the same symptoms I had learned about from school and seen in person,” she recalled. “The patient was scheduled to be discharged that day, but I reported to the nurse that I thought my patient had an infection. They drew some labs and found out she had sepsis. I actually helped save a patient’s life by monitoring vital signs and reporting what I had noticed. Even though I went through my own horrible experience, I was able to pull through and help somebody else.”

During her time as a student at the U of A, Freeman experienced additional hardships. She worked 40 hours a week, provided medical care for her ailing grandmother, and went through a divorce, all the while maintaining her coursework and raising three children under the age of 12. Online learning fit Freeman’s busy lifestyle perfectly, allowing her to slide in lessons, homework, and exams among her other responsibilities.

“It's easier for me to work on schoolwork on my own time,” Freeman said. “In the evenings when I put the children to bed, I can do my homework. I am able to complete assignments and exams on the weekends. I still make time for my little ones, but I also have time for studying.”

Another benefit Freeman noted in pursuing her degree online, was the convenience of being able to work around her full-time career as an LPN, though it isn’t always easy.

“I can make my own schedule for clinicals and can work around my work schedule, ball games, and things like that,” she said. “It has had its challenges. There are no other students to sit and talk with or study with. I don't know anybody else who goes to college here, but the university offers online tutoring. Also, the instructors are more than willing to help students who are struggling. They send extra videos or explain things further to help me understand it better.”

Freeman also found her interactions with faculty in the BSN program to be very comfortable and supportive.

“The instructors are fantastic,” she said. “They really care about you, and they work with you. Anytime I have had something going on—like I just recently went through a divorce—they helped me get through this program. They have been so motivational and supportive to me. They extended some deadlines and things to help me get back on track.”

Freeman is one of 29 online students to receive the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online U of A students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The scholarship began with small gifts from many people who passionately believe in the transformative power of education. It was created in 2018 to financially assist students who are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. 

“I am very grateful for the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship because I would not have been able to go any farther into the program without it,” Freeman said. “When I first went to school, I went to become a teacher. When I was in my fourth year and about to graduate, I decided that was not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a nurse. I had used up all my Pell Grant at that time. If I didn't have this scholarship, I wouldn't be able to afford this college. I would have had to take out more loans or just wait. With this help, I can reach my goals in a timely manner. I am more than grateful for this opportunity.”