09/12/2025
Please join us in congratulating Aveanna Home Health Clinical Management Specialist Crystal. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing last month after an inspiring journey that just goes to show nothing can stop a nurse on a mission!
Crystal decided she wanted to become a Registered Nurse about 20 years ago. Unfortunately, she faced unexpected obstacles. “I was accepted into my RN program on the same day that we found out my husband’s cancer had spread,” she recalls. “I was taking classes and doing clinicals while my husband was going through chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. It was brutal. My instructor finally came to me and told me to take some time to focus on my family.”
Crystal followed her instructor’s advice, but she couldn’t let go of her dream to become an RN. In the meantime, she worked as an LPN while supporting her husband and growing their family. “In the back of my mind, I always wanted to go back and get my RN,” she admits. “I am the type of person who just has to finish what I start. Our family doesn’t give up. We will beat the odds and reach our goals.”
It took almost a decade for Crystal to see her goal through. She earned her ASN in 2019 and graduated with her BSN just last month. “Going back to school this time around felt like everything clicked,” she says. “It was perfect timing. I saw my classes from a whole different perspective, bringing my own experience and context to what I was learning. I was especially motivated because I knew what I learned in school would enhance my abilities and allow me to improve in what I do here at Aveanna.”
Crystal joined the Aveanna team in February of this year and has already made an incredible impact on the teams she supports. She is determined to use her personal and academic experiences to better equip the caregivers, clinicians, and support staff she works with. In fact, the same sense of purpose that enabled her to achieve her academic goals drives her work at Aveanna today.
“I believe every life has a purpose,” Crystal says. “It’s not just about you. Always remember that there is a bigger picture and a plan. I don’t take a day for granted. Each day I ask myself what I can do today to make a mark and leave a legacy of love, goodness, and light.”
Crystal’s passion, drive, and commitment to lifelong learning have certainly made a mark on all who know her. We are honored to have her on the Aveanna team and excited to celebrate her accomplishments today!
