For Rachelle Taylor, Crafton Hills College Forged a Path into Nursing

Publish Date: Sept. 15, 2020

Just a few weeks after graduating from Loma Linda University’s School of Nursing, Crafton Hills College alumnae Rachelle Taylor accepted a graduate position with the Loma Linda University hospital system.

The 33-year-old Banning resident credits Crafton for helping forge a path into nursing – even if it wasn’t always a smooth ride. Taylor began her journey at Crafton as a recently divorced mother of two who struggled financially to make her dreams of obtaining an education a reality.
“During my first semester at Crafton I had to pay out of pocket because I was considered a ‘nonresident,’ but before my second, I asked around for programs to help with costs and found out about EOPS.” Taylor said.

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services – EOPS helps students with language, social or economic disadvantages to reach their educational goals with additional counseling, financial assistance, tutoring, and priority registration.

“Before coming back to school, I worked retail and knew I wanted to do something to serve my community,” she continued. “I have a passion for the African-American and Latino cultures and have always wanted to do something that could help them.”

After graduating from Crafton in 2017, Taylor transferred to Loma Linda University where she continued to excel. Today, she is one of Crafton and LLU’s biggest cheerleaders.

Taylor recently shared her success in an email to Crafton officials as a way to say thank you for their support and encouragement during her time at the college, adding, “if there is any way I can give back, please let me know.”Taylor’s position at Loma Linda will allow her to work with all races and nationalities. Her biggest goal is to launch new health education programs for African Americans and Latinx, two of the largest populations of people in need of health services. Part of her work includes building trust with patients by being herself.

“I learned through my experiences that it is sometimes easier to communicate and relate with someone of our own nationality because you have an understanding of what they are going through and their culture,” Taylor said. “In the African-American community, there’s a lot of mistrust there when it comes to healthcare and communication – some may feel like they are being lectured to – I was going into those homes and getting the chance to talk to them. I was able to speak their language.”

In addition to finding success in her desired career field, Taylor wants to get the word out about Crafton and services offered to students who may think getting a college education is not possible.

“I would say the time to start is now. Just do it. Go fill out your application, ask questions and don’t wait until tomorrow to do what you can to today. Go in and never take no for an answer,” she said. “Why wait?”