National Park College (NPC) named Ann McMullin as the Outstanding Alumnus for 2021.
As a student, McMullin was a single mother working two jobs barely surviving. She
spent her days working as a patient care technician at St. Joseph’s Hospital, now
CHI, and working nights as a waitress at Perkins Restaurant.
McMullin said encouragement from her former manager at Perkins Restaurant gave her
the confidence she needed to enroll in college. He told her that he hated to lose
a good employee, but encouraged her to pursue her degree. He told her the door would
always be open for her to return.
Along with her best friend, she decided to attend the part-time Licensed Practical
Nursing program (LPN) at NPC in the evening. She gathered her courage and her transcripts,
applied and was accepted. She not only earned her LPN certificate, but an Associate
of Liberal Studies as well.
“One of my favorite memories is weekend clinicals with Mrs. Janice Ivers at Easter
Seals. I had worked the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift the night prior and had to go straight
to clinicals. Mrs. Ivers was not just a great instructor, she was also a joy to be
around, after all, laughter is the best medicine,” stated McMullin.
By obtaining her degrees, McMullin gained more opportunities to provide for her children
and herself. “I am truly honored to receive this award and I will continue to encourage
other CNAs, and caregivers to pursue the nursing field. I am truly blessed to be a
nurse and have the opportunity to care for others. Thank you, NPC, for giving me the
tools to succeed,” said McMullin.
