Merelyn’s Story: From Student to Healthcare Professional

For Merelyn, helping others wasn’t just a goal—it was something she witnessed growing up, watching her mother care deeply for others in the healthcare field. But like many students her age, Merelyn wasn’t sure how to turn that passion into a real career. That all began to change when she enrolled at Options For Youth.

At OFY, Merelyn found more than just a flexible schedule and individualized learning—she discovered opportunities to explore her future through career preparation programs that aligned with her interests. Through OFY’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Nursing program, she was able to get hands-on training and early exposure to a career in healthcare—all while earning her high school diploma.

Merelyn and students at OFY's CTE Hands-On day, getting in-person support and training. 

When she joined the CTE program at 17, Merelyn was still deciding between nursing and ultrasound technology. Thanks to OFY’s support and the practical experience built into the program, she didn’t have to wait until after graduation to start exploring. By the time she turned 18, Merelyn had already landed a job as a Nursing Assistant at one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in her county.

“Being part of the CTE program gave me the chance to really see what nursing is about,” Merelyn shared. “Seeing patients in the rehab hospital get better and light up—it warms my heart.”

The hybrid structure of the CTE Nursing program allowed her to receive medical equipment kits at home, participate in virtual lessons with her instructor, and attend in-person workshops for direct training. She practiced taking blood pressure, learned proper PPE usage, and gained confidence in her ability to support patients.

“The program gave us everything we needed to practice—blood pressure cuffs, compression stockings, PPE,” she explained. “It was great to be able to do hands-on training both at home and in-person with support from our teachers and classmates.”

One of her instructors, Ms. Lakeysha, left a lasting impression:

“She told us that nursing has to come from the heart. If you’re only in it for the money, you won’t be happy—and now that I’m working in the field, I really understand what she meant.”

After graduating from OFY and completing the CTE program, Merelyn went on to enroll in a formal nursing certification course. Thanks to the strong foundation she built at OFY, she felt confident—even when she had to repeat some of the material.

“The CTE program definitely helped me. A lot of the things I was learning, I had already seen before, so I felt ahead,” she said.

Balancing her schoolwork with hands-on training wasn’t always easy—but Merelyn stayed committed. Even when she couldn’t make it to every in-person session, she found ways to stay on track with the help of her teachers and program mentors.

Merelyn proudly graduated from the CTE program and celebrated during a virtual ceremony hosted by OFY and its partners.

“I’m really proud of graduating,” she said. “Even though [the graduation] was virtual, seeing our names and photos meant a lot. It felt like a real accomplishment.”

Today, Merelyn is working in the healthcare field and continuing to pursue additional certifications. She credits OFY with helping her discover her passion and build the confidence to chase it.

“I would tell any student to try a CTE program. It helps you figure out what you want to do—and it gives you real experience so you’re not just guessing.”