Kimberly Haswell - LASC Student Spotlight of the Week

Nursing isn't just a career choice for Los Angeles Southwest College student Kimberly Haswell — it’s a vocation rooted in compassion, empathy, and the belief that caring for others is a reflection of God’s love. Unsettled by the racial disparities she witnessed while working as a secretary for a large hospital, she decided to return to school and pursue a nursing degree.

“I want to be part of the change and as a nurse, I want to help patients advocate for their needs and receive the care they deserve,” Haswell said.

Becoming a full-time student again came with a new set of complications. Haswell found the balance between the responsibilities of being a single mother and participating in campus life a challenge. She discovered a way to achieve her goals through the LASC CalWorks program that supports students with families. Having found a job on campus through the work-study program, Haswell has made new friends and supports her family while she works toward her dreams.

“My counselor Kimberly McBride, supported me from the moment I got to her office,” Haswell said. “She listened to me, helped me develop my course plan, and was so encouraging.”

Driven by a deep sense of purpose, the Crenshaw High School graduate embraces every challenge of her nursing studies with the knowledge that each step forward brings her closer to fulfilling her mission to make a difference in the lives of those in need. On a path to becoming a women’s health nurse, she was recently accepted into LASC’s competitive nursing program and hopes to transfer to California State Dominguez Hills.