“Mom, let’s go to nursing school.”
For Tynai’ Burrow, talking to her mother, Tywana, about attending Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing wasn’t just a question—it was a challenge. As a certified surgical tech who had recently returned to St. Louis, she felt attending nursing school was a necessity for her to continue to progress in her career. But for Tywana, it was something more.
“She was supposed to be a nurse a long time ago,” Tynai’ explains. “And while I was growing up, everything she did, she always completed. I knew she needed to finish what she started at nursing school.”
Nursing had always spoken to Tywana’s heart, but a negative experience with a nurse earlier in life had deterred her from pursuing it further. Instead, she earned a bachelor's degree, two Master's degrees, and her real estate license, calling herself a “lifelong student.” But now, over 20 years later, both mother and daughter are Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing Upper Division students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, both in their first term.
“I’m very protective of her,” Tynai’ says with pride. “I love doing this with her. We laugh together, we collaborate with each other, we study together.”
Pride in family and togetherness is something deeply rooted in both Tywana and Tynai’, and it comes from shared experiences.
Tywana’s son/Tynai’s brother was diagnosed with sickle cell at birth. Tywana and Tynai’ spent long hours at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) managing his diagnosis and treatment. However, it was their experience at SLCH that inspired Tywana to pursue nursing again. She says the doctors and nurses caring for her son said, “we need nurses like you,” since she was constantly asking questions and seeking clarification about his care. She also felt in her heart that her experience could help other patient parents.
“I’ll be able to advocate for them and help them, for them to understand exactly what is going on,” Tywana says. “If they can see a familiar face and feel a bit more at ease, it takes a little of the load off them. They will know they are not doing this by themselves.”
That’s why she plans to go right back to where her journey started–the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit at SLCH.
For Tynai’, caring for her brother and working as a certified surgical tech at Barnes-Jewish Hospital inspired her to pursue more education. She currently manages full-time work with her studies. She says the dream of advancing her scope of work in the operating room is what keeps her motivated.
“I love the OR,” Tynai’ says. “And I want to keep growing. As a certified surgical tech, I’m often called upon to train nurses in parts of my job. As a nurse, I’ll have both sides and can expand my opportunities down there.”
The mother and daughter feel blessed to have one another throughout their coursework and clinicals. They admit that school is not always easy, but it is a little easier together.
“It’s challenging,” Tywana admits. “But it’s nothing we can’t handle,” she explains. “If you think you can’t handle the pressure and the hard, you can. Yes, you can do this.”
“The togetherness is great,” Tynai’ says. “She’s my person. I’m her person. I love it.”
To learn more about the Upper Division’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Goldfarb School of Nursing, visit the program website.