Picture this: a young boy in the bustling heart of Killeen, eyes wide with admiration as he listens to his mother, a dedicated nurse, recount stories of her day spent tending to patients with unwavering compassion and skill. Fascinated by the tales she shared about her experiences at the hospital and captivated by her impact on her patients, Cheeno De la Cruz knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in her footsteps and become a nurse.
His journey began at Central Texas College (CTC), where he earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Inspired by the pursuit of further education among his peers and mentors, he set his sights on Texas A&M University–Central Texas. Now, he is on the brink of completing his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, finishing his final course. “It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey,” he smiled.
As a currently licensed registered nurse, Cheeno’s long 12-hour overnight shifts are filled with both challenges and rewards. His day begins with a thorough briefing of his patients, ensuring he understands their needs and medical histories before administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and providing emotional support to both patients and their families.
“Working those 12-hour shifts with those patients, spending one-on-one care with them, being able to give them medications for their pain, being able to see them walk again after surgery, it’s just a good feeling being able to give back to my community,” he expressed
Balancing three classes and a social life on top of his demanding full-time job has been no small feat.
“At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the university has been really accommodating,” he explains. “The flexible online course schedules have allowed me to balance my work life and personal commitments.”
Reflecting on his studies, Cheeno acknowledges the profound impact they have had on his personal and professional development.
“The leadership classes have taught me to maintain my composure and handle high-stress situations, especially in a hospital setting,” he recounted.
These skills translate into his personal life, helping him remain calm and composed in challenging situations, and his dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed as his perseverance has been recognized and nurtured by his professors.
“They push me to do my best and are always there to provide guidance and support,” he says.
He recalls a time one of his professors, Dr. Amy Mersiovsky, encouraged him to redo an assignment he had rushed through insisting she knew he could do better.
“I was super busy that week, but she believed in me and gave me a second chance to improve my work,” he shares.
One of Cheeno’s most memorable experiences was when Dr. Mersiovsky invited him to volunteer at the local Early Head Start Foundation in Killeen. There, he worked with underserved children, ages 5 and younger.
“Volunteering there was eye-opening,” he reflects. “I remember being able to sit crisscross applesauce with them in the classroom, eat lunch with them, just like back in elementary school. I was able to go outside with them, just basically being a kid again. I think that was a good time being able to influence the younger generation.”
Completing his final class in August, Cheeno is waiting until December to officially graduate.
“Graduating will be a huge milestone for me and my family since my older brother is the only other family member with a bachelor’s degree,” he says proudly. “I want to graduate with my friends, so I’ll be officially done [in August], but walking in December.”
Looking into the future, Cheeno aspires to work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he says patients need the highest level of care. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping someone get their life back.”
He dreams of one day becoming a leader in his field, mentoring new nurses and continuing to give back to his community.
“The biggest hope for my future is to continue helping others and making a difference.”
