Guyanese Family Nurse Practitioner Derrice Gordon directs TCI School of Nursing, co-owns Ready to Pass, Inc.
Guyanese Family Nurse Practitioner Derrice Gordon, vice president and co-founder of Ready to Pass Inc., and co-founder and the director of nursing at Transitions Career Institute (TCI) School of Nursing in College Point, Queens, prides herself in being “a master’s prepared RN with many years of clinical experience.” See the full article on Caribbean Life
Transitions Career Institute School of Nursing Continuing to Flourish
Transitions Career Institute School of Nursing in Flushing, Queens, New York welcomed their first class of aspiring nurses in September 2014. As the school continues to flourish and be an integral and unique learning environment for future nurses, its students graduate with a sense of community, dedication, and confidence in their ability be compassionate and conscientious nurses. The class of 2018 produced a wonderful group of new LPN’s (Licensed Practical Nurses) but the stories of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian are particularly inspiring.
Both Chrislaine Mentor, Valedictorian and Tenzeeila Ali, Salutatorian had very challenging circumstances but persevered with the help of their colleagues and the staff at TCI. They both describe the atmosphere at TCI as being a major reason for them accomplishing their goals and being inspired to be the best nurses they can be.
Tenzeeila always had a desire to work in the medical field. In fact, Tenezeeila was attending Stony Brook University pursuing her dreams when tragedy struck. Tenzeeila was assaulted on campus and as a result, withdrew from life as she knew it at Stony Brook. She struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. With little support from loved ones Tenzeeila gave up on her dreams and thought there was no way out of the black hole she felt she was in. When she thought she was at the point of no return and grasping at every and anything for strength and support, Tenzeeila decided to consult a renowned psychic in New York City. The result was bleak and did not offer her any comfort or encouragement. At that point, something clicked and Tenzeeila became sick and tired of looking for others or outside influences to give her the support she needed to be successful in life. She set aside her fears and insecurities and decided it was time to take her life back, push herself through, and continue to pursue her dreams. With a continued desire for a career in the medical field, Tenzeeila remembered that the nurses she encountered, during her time in the hospital, had provided her with the support and confidence she needed to push through her troubles. She decided that becoming a nurse would not only help her achieve her dreams but that she too could help those in a time of need.
With a need to support herself and her dreams Tenzeeila needed to have full-time employment while going to school full-time which meant she needed to consider a school that was close to her job. But, the factor that played the biggest role In Tenzeeila’s decision to choose TCI was the staff. From the time she visited the school to make her first inquiry to her last day, “integrity and sincerity” is what Tenzeeila said she felt from the school’s staff. “It is hard to find such a valuable trait in all of the school’s staff when most of these programs are really trying to recrui
t you for the money. Every individual in that school (TCI) gave their all to help each of the students succeed. They truly cared about us becoming successful nurses and were always there with an open ear whether we had issues with the curriculum or about our own personal lives”.
Tenzeeila is proud to be TCI’s 2018 Salutatorian. She could not imagine that she would actually accomplish this goal especially after what she went through. It was no easy task as she took on this journey without any emotional or financial support from loved ones. With the support of the staff and her colleagues at TCI, she learned that hard work, determination, and perseverance is a vital part of her success.
Valedictorian, Chrislaine has a different, yet inspiring story as well. After being a CNA for three years, Chrislaine wanted to take the next step in her nursing career. As a mother of three small children, with one on the way, she knew this would not be an easy task but a task that was necessary for herself and her family.
After attending another school and not passing the Certification to become an LPN, Chrislaine looked for a better alternative. When she heard about TCI, she knew it was the place for her. As other students have boasted, the staff at TCI is patient, attentive, and nurturing. The format of the curriculum at TCI is geared toward making sure the students are successful. “They make sure you absorb all of the information,” says Chrislaine. She recalls her classes with Mrs. Dunworth, “she makes sure you know that you need to follow directions. She also instills the value of being on time, for school or work” …you should always be on time. Her experience at TCI was very different from that of the school she attended previously and Chrislaine is sure that TCI’s dedication to the success of their students is what helped her achieve her dream of becoming an LPN.
Being a mother of three and pregnant, the support of her family, colleagues, and the staff at TCI was hugely important for Chrislaine. She knew she needed to finish and accomplish her goal of becoming an LPN. There were times when she was not sure that she would make it but the encouragement she received made her feel like she could not fail. For Chrislaine, TCI felt like an extension of her family. That is exactly what she needed to push through.
Nursing school is not easy and not something to be taken on without dedication and determination. Both Tenzeeila and Chrislaine had what it takes not only to successfully complete nursing school and pass the necessary tests but to be at the top of their class and achieve the honorable titles of Valedictorian and S
alutatorian. They are both very grateful and proud of their accomplishments. They have a new understanding of hard work and will be sure to apply the same work ethic that was instilled in them at TCI in their nursing careers.
Transitions Career Institute Continues its Success with its Second Graduating Class
Health care is one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying industries in the nation, and nurses are leading the charge. The students of TCI are made to be prepared to tackle the hard work required to become a nurse and the dedication and support of the teachers and staff of TCI has proven to afford the graduating classes the opportunity to achieve their goals.
TCI’s Salutatorian, Manpreet Kaur and Valedictorian. Marie Candy know all too well that the hard work and dedication that was instilled in them during their time at TCI will help to shape their future as nurses. Manpreet and Marie come from different backgrounds, but as most who come to TCI their desire to help people brought them to the field of nursing. Both Manpreet and Marie said it was not easy — time management is one of the biggest challenges in nursing school, the key to success is staying organized. With coursework, clinicals and studying – not to mention any additional personal social and family responsibilities you may have on your plate, nursing school requires commitment. To succeed you need to be able to use your time wisely and keep yourself on schedule.
Valedictorian, Marie Candy, knew as a young girl that she wanted to help people. She was not sure exactly how she would do it. After the earthquake in Haiti, Marie knew what her calling would be. She sawso many people suffering and not enough people there to help. When she came to the United 
States she knew that she needed to go to nursing school and fulfill her dreams. She tried other schools, but when she was accepted to TCI she knew it was the place for her. “The faculty and staff at TCI help you in every way that they can”, said Marie. “They teach you about self-control and make you feel good about yourself. It was a very good experience at TCI”. Marie is confident in her abilities as a nurse and wishes to go further in her career. According to Marie TCI was “more than the best” choice she could have made for nursing school.
Also, deriving her passion to help people as a young girl, TCI’s Salutatorian, Manpreet Kaur, saw how the nurses helped her grandfather after he had a stroke. Seeing how relieved her grandfather was and the compassion he was 
shown by his nurses cultivated Manpreet’s desire to become a nurse. Manpreet came to TCI after checking with a friend who was an RN and successfully prepared for the NCLEX by taking a prep course with Ready to Pass which is owned by the directors of TCI. She knew she was in the right place. “I love everything about TCI”. Even though it is an LPN program “they prepare you like you are training to become an RN”, said Manpreet. “They teach you how to work as a team and how to be compassionate towards people of different backgrounds and cultures. I am confident they have given me the tools I need to be successful”.
Many students come to TCI a little unsure of themselves before taking on the challenge of nursing school. Manpreet and 
Marie learned that succeeding in nursing school was not impossible. In fact, both Manpreet and Marie, along with several of their classmates, have now passed the NCLEX and are Licensed Practical Nurses. Putting in the work, being organized and willing to sacrifice some free time in the short term put them on the path to a rewarding career. TCI’s program is one of the few of its kind that give their students the personal and professional attention necessary to help them succeed. Nursing is one of the few professions that allows you the chance to directly improve someone’s life every day you come to work—Nurses are at the forefront of the healthcare field and TCI has taken the measures necessary to instill a culture of compassion and hard work in their students.
Transitions Career Institute
30-50 Whitestone Expressway
Suite 400
Flushing, NY 11354
informationdesk@tcilpn.org
www.tcilpn.org
(718) 362-9500 (Phone)
(718) 362-9508 (Fax)
Congratulations to Nadine Sanon – TCI Salutatorian – On Receiving Your LPN License
TCI Congratulates Nadine Sanon (our Salutatorian) on receiving her LPN License. Your hard work and dedication during your time at TCI have paid off. Looking forward to seeing great things from you and your future in Nursing.
Transitions Career Institute Celebrates its First Graduating Class
Transitions Career Institute Celebrates its First Graduating Class
The Transitions Career Institute (TCI), located in Flushing, Queens, was established to offer programs which are of high quality, accessible, and community centered. The Licensed Practical Nursing Program was designed by three energetic and positive Masters prepared RN’s with over 84 years of nursing experience combined to produce compassionate and professional nurses. TCI provides a high quality education from a dedicated staff of professionals.
On November 20, 2015, TCI produced its first graduating class of hardworking and devoted nurses who are enthusiastic to enter into their field knowing that they have been given the expertise and benevolence required to enter into a career that requires you to put your heart and soul into it to be successful. Setting out to become a nurse is not an easy path. It requires a strong work ethic to succeed. The coursework is demanding. TCI’s Valedictorian, Carla St. Hubert, and Salutatorian, Nadine Sanon, know best the hard work it takes to complete nursing school and end up at the top of the class.
Nadine and Carla came to TCI by different paths. Nadine was a CNA and Home Health Aide who always knew that she had something more to offer. Carla decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and continue a family tradition of dedication to service in the healthcare profession. Both women knew that they had what it took to succeed in nursing school and both dedicated themselves to the training.
Nadine was taking classes with 1199 and asked someone if they knew of a nursing school. Nadine said that TCI was a godsend. She learned more than she could ever imagine and was elated to be in a school that was so dedicated to her success. “They don’t play with your time”, says Nadine referring to the intense coursework and in depth classes. The personal attention she received at TCI helped her to be successful in her studies.
It was not easy. Nadine said she had to set her own pace for studying and made a schedule to help her balance her life and nursing school. She knew what to expect going in and she said that helped her to be successful. Many may go into nursing school not understanding how heavy the workload is and because it is unexpected they burn out quickly.
Carla was referred to TCI by her mother who took the NCLEX Review courses with Ready to Pass, TCI’s sister NCLEX Review program (owned and operated by Derrice Gordon and Rhonda Savain of TCI). Carla’s mother told her there was no other choice when it came to nursing schools and Carla was glad that she did. “Aside from the faculty”, Carla said, “Ms. Gordon was always there to help and Ms. Savain was always emailing and checking on us. They made sure we had the support we needed. Before Ms. Gordon could take off her coat or put her bags down we would ask her questions about our lessons.”
Since Carla’s mom was a nurse she knew what to expect from nursing school. “It helps to know that this is what you really want to do”, said Carla. She was passionate about becoming a nurse. “You have to know how to manage your time” says Carla, who also said she had to make herself go out every once in a while to take a break from studying. “After three or four full hours of studying your mind doesn’t retain the information. You have to know when to take a break”.
Nadine and Carla both take pride in the clinical skills they received from TCI, but what they think was most important was the lessons on safety and compassion. TCI teaches the importance of safety for the patients and for the nurse. “It is something they drill into you” said Nadine “they make sure you understand how important safety really is”. It can be the difference between a good nurse and a great nurse.
Nadine and Carla worked very hard and being part of TCI’s first graduating class was a big honor for both. “They were like family for fourteen months”, said Carla who was in such shock that she was Valedictorian she cried. That is when it finally hit her that she had succeeded. Nadine was equally honored but knew she could get there. “It is what I worked so hard for”, says Nadine.
Nadine, Carla, and the rest of the graduates of TCI’s first graduating class have a bright future ahead of them in the healthcare industry. Graduating from TCI’s LPN school has given them the foundation to later train to become a registered nurse if they are interested. They have benefited from an education that will allow them to be marketable in the healthcare industry and opened the door for many future opportunities. TCI’s commitment to creating professional, dedicated, and compassionate nurses will continue in the many graduating classes to come.
Transitions Career Institute
30-50 Whitestone Expressway
Suite 400
Flushing, NY 11354
www.tcilpn.com
(718) 362-9500 (Phone)
(718) 362-9508 (Fax)
