Firefighter/Paramedic Adds RN to His Resume

July 1, 2021 - David Collins of Laurinburg has over 20 years of experience working as a firefighter and paramedic, but he is about to embark on a new career in helping people in need. Collins graduated in May from Richmond Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, and as of June 12 when he passed the state licensing exam, he is now a registered nurse.

“Nursing was a long-term goal of mine since I began working in public service,” said Collins, who is the battalion chief for the Horry County (S.C.) Fire/Rescue/EMS. “Nursing offers me the opportunity to expand my medical knowledge base and gives me so many opportunities to provide patient care beyond the realm of emergency medicine.”

Collins started as a volunteer for the Horry County Fire Department in 1999. He became a career member of that department in 2002 and remains there to this day.

Going to nursing school while maintaining a full-time job over 80 miles away was a huge undertaking. Collins said it took a lot of planning and time management, and he used over 500 vacation hours to make sure he did not miss class and clinicals. 

“Looking back now, it doesn’t seem possible, but we did it,” Collins said, referring to his family’s help as well. 

A Supportive Family

His wife, Debbie, who also works full time, supported his dream of becoming a nurse, and he gives her a lot of credit for helping make it happen. 

“My wife has been my biggest supporter throughout my many professional endeavors. She is the most caring, loving, and selfless person. When we discussed the possibility of my returning to school, she knew it would be a challenge but supported me 100 percent,” he said. “Together, we worked hard to maximize the free time I did have, and I believe it all paid off in the end.”

The Collins, who have been married for 22 years, have four children, a dog, a cat, four ducks, 16 chickens and two Sulcata tortoises. They moved from Horry County to Scotland County in 2014 to be closer to family and their church.

A Reputable Nursing School

Before moving, Collins was working on an Associate in Business Administration at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway, S.C. When he enrolled at RichmondCC, he decided to transfer those credits into the Associate in Arts program, which would fulfill the prerequisites for the nursing program, which he was now considering.

“The nursing program was highly recommended by family and friends due to the class structure, knowledgeable instructors, and overall success rates of previous classes,” he said. “Once I made the decision to become an RN, I knew the ADN program at RichmondCC would be my choice.”

After completing his Associate in Arts degree in 2018, Collins entered the nursing program with a solid base of healthcare knowledge because of his background in EMS. However, he quickly learned that he needed to change his mindset from the emergency medicine process to the nursing process.

“This involved a deeper level of critical thinking when dealing with the different disease processes and treatment options available,” he said.

His experience as a paramedic and a firefighter came in handy when he and his classmates took part in a mock disaster drill that involved multiple trauma victims resulting from simulated accidents.

“Having been the incident commander on real events, I was ready to demonstrate what I have learned over the years and see what new tricks I could learn,” Collins said. “I was told many years ago by my mentor that ‘you are always a student of the craft,’ so I try to never miss an opportunity to open my mind and learn from those around me.”

Dedicated Instructors

Collins also admired the dedication of the nursing instructors at RichmondCC. 

“Not that I expected anything less, but these instructors were different. They challenged us both mentally and physically and made sure we were going to be more than prepared to face the precariousness of the nursing profession,” he said. “It was easy to see how much they cared about the field of nursing and how important it was that we succeeded.”

Collins’ ultimate goal is to provide volunteer work for the Doctors Without Borders program once the regulations on international travel relax. In the meantime, he plans to work in an intensive care unit as an RN while maintaining his career with the fire department. He also wants to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Collins is glad that he made the decision to attend RichmondCC, and his son is now in the welding program.

“RichmondCC offers a wide range of degree paths and provides these opportunities at an affordable rate. During all my time at RichmondCC, I have met so many instructors and educators who have all been more than helpful in helping me achieve my goals,” he said.

For More Information

RichmondCC is currently registering students for the 2021 Fall Semester. The application is free and can be completed online at www.richmondcc.edu/admissions. Visit the Hamlet Campus or Scotland County Campus in Laurinburg and speak one-on-one with a counselor about the College’s programs, scholarships and financial aid.