Veterans - April Ramangkoun: The world is full of good people. If you can’t find one, be one

In 2010, fresh out of high school at the age of 18, I enlisted in the United States Army as a combat medic. During my service, I experienced many things that forced me to ‘grow up’ faster than the average person my age. I spent my 21^st birthday celebrating with Welch’s grape juice while deployed in Afghanistan.

After I completed my enlistment four years later, I moved back home to Illinois and basically was in and out of different schools/courses and jobs, including being a cosmetologist, retail worker, etc. Despite my family and friends encouraging me not to, I stepped away from the health care field completely due to the unfortunate burn-out I experienced in the military. Fast forward to September 2019, I welcomed my first child, Khamryn, into the world and made the decision to enroll at Elgin Community College.

Five months later, while the entire world shut down from COVID-19, my own world was secretly falling apart. I had to navigate a new life as a single mom to a five-month-old and try to balance being a full-time student while blindsided by a divorce. I look back now, and I honestly don’t know how I made it through, but I did. That was due to the generous and compassionate help from all of Elgin Community College’s staff, from the instructors to the wellness counselors.

I graduated with my Associate in Arts degree in December 2020.

Post-graduation, I felt a void inside me. My entire life, I was always envious of those who knew what they were destined to be when they grew up. I never really had that feeling, but I know that I enjoy helping others and feel happiest when I can do so.

In 2022, I impulsively decided to apply to ECC’s nursing program after hearing so many great things from family members and friends who had graduated previously. To my surprise, I was accepted. 

Fast forward to the present day; I am finishing up my last semester. Before the program, I intended to stay focused and get in and out. However, I became more involved at school than I ever thought possible. I served as the Associated Nursing Students (ANS) social media coordinator for my first three semesters, and now the current ANS vice president. I believe being a part of the ANS board coincides with my passion for helping people.

One of my goals during my nursing school journey was to hopefully inspire people along the way. We often hear “horror” stories about the hardships of nursing school (which are true…), but rarely do we hear about the good parts. The genuine lifelong friends you meet and the self-confidence you gain as not only a nurse but as a human being.

I am so grateful for all of ECC’s nursing instructors. Each one is truly kind and passionate about teaching and helping us become the best nurses. To my cohort and beyond, there will never be enough words to express my gratitude for experiencing this wild journey with all of you. I am so excited to see where life takes us all. The world is full of good people. If you can’t find one, be one.

April Ramangkoun ‘24

Elgin, Ill.

Associate of Applied Science – Nursing

Visit elgin.edu/graduates for more graduate stories.