Hearing Impaired Nursing Student and Military Wife Graduates with Honors from USF

University of South Florida College of Nursing student, Angela Romero, defied obstacles to complete her nursing degree. Romero was in the RN-BS program at the College of Nursing. She graduated with honors, Cum Laude, at the USF Sun Dome on May 5, 2012.

Romero, who was diagnosed with hearing impaired disabilities at three years old, said despite challenges she enjoyed the nursing program at USF.

“While it was tough, I did enjoy the program,” Romero said. “My parents have always taught me to never give up, and that’s what I did. I am also very grateful that I had a group of supportive instructors. In the beginning, I knew that there was some doubt among the faculty about whether I would be able to succeed in the program. However, my instructors were very helpful and willing to work with me.”

Romero’s husband, Kevin, a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force, has been in the military since 2009, and will be deployed this summer. Romero said her family military experience helped her succeed as a nursing student.

“As a military wife, life can be both stressful and lonely at times because of my hearing impairment (I’m unable to use the telephone) and my husband’s long work hours, but this has only helped me to become a more independent person,” Romero said.

Romero also became a mother while working on her nursing degree. She and her husband are proud to have a beautiful baby daughter. She said her family means everything. She credits her success to her family who supported her every step of the way.

“I am very excited to be graduated with honors. I feel very proud of my accomplishments!” Romero said. “I firmly believe that my success in school despite my severe hearing loss and having had a baby is attributed largely to the support of my family and husband,” Romero said. “It was difficult juggling everything, especially as a hearing impaired individual and military wife, but I’m extremely fortunate that I had the support of my family during the past two years in nursing school.”

In the future, Romero hopes to work at a VA facility to help veterans who have returned from the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. “The military life has made me extremely proud of my husband and the sacrifices he makes for our family and our country,” Romero said. “While he is serving our country, I am able to be independent and motivated and follow my personal goals as well.”

Romero hopes her story will inspire other students to keep their eyes on their dreams and goals. “Nothing can stop you from attaining your goals if you believe in yourself and push to persevere despite any obstacles there may be,” she said.