Ja'Ronda Ingram Takes Career in Nursing to Next Level
Recalls MCCC's James Kerney Campus as 'My Home'
12/21/21
West Windsor, N.J. – When Ewing resident Ja’Ronda Ingram (A.A.S., Health Science) decided to enroll at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) in 2015, she had been working in the health care field for well over a decade – first as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) and then as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
“I always knew I wanted to be an RN. I was now ready to take my career to the next level. I wanted to grow,” Ingram said.
Ingram naturally chose MCCC’s James Kerney Campus (JKC) as her starting point. “I was born and raised in Trenton. A lot of my family members went to JKC,” she observed.
During her first visit to the campus, Ingram met with advisor Terrence Carter. “He explained the first steps and I was ready,” she said, also recalling the late JKC provost, Monica Weaver, with whom she became close.
Ingram enjoyed JKC’s intimate setting and small class size. “That’s what kept me going,” she said. “I met so many great people who pushed me and wanted to help me better myself. They made me feel like I could succeed. JKC was my home.”
Ingram powered through her courses, including Biology 101 and 102 back-to-back with faculty member Linda Gaylo in the summer of 2016. She also spent time on the West Windsor campus, where she took courses in English, Mathematics, Microbiology and Chemistry.
Ingram says she wasn’t afraid to seek out help. “I was writing papers. I hadn’t done that in a long time. I practically lived at the [Beverly Richardson] Learning Center.” She also worked with science tutors, who were readily available and always helpful.
In addition to succeeding in the classroom, Ingram immersed herself in college life. She served as vice president of JKC’s Student Executive Council, getting students involved in campus activities and serving as a JKC tour guide and volunteer at orientations. She also participated in community service projects.
“This was all while I was working full-time as an LPN and also taking care of my mom. I had some very late nights,” she said. “I was busy, but I did what I had to do.”
Ingram was a stand-out student and was recognized accordingly. She was awarded three scholarships: the Wells Fargo Urban Scholarship, the Trenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship, and the Allen M. Silk, Esq., Scholarship.
“That felt great. It helped financially and made me feel like I was being recognized,” she recalled. “I never looked for things from people, but I worked hard to get those grades.”
Once she completed her associate degree at MCCC in 2018, Ingram continued on in Mercer's cooperative program with St. Francis Medical Center to earn her diploma in Nursing. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Ingram was in the middle of her first class at St. Francis. “Classes moved online, but my clinicals were at the hospital. It was an unusual time to be in a hospital,” she noted.
Ingram earned her diploma from St. Francis in May 2021. Two old friends from MCCC, Kulubo Kokro and Shawn Thorpe, were there to celebrate her success with her.
Ingram immediately began preparing for the national nursing certification exam (NCLEX-RN). “It was not an easy test,” she said. “You are asked to apply your knowledge in real-life scenarios. When I found out I passed, I was thrilled.”
Since becoming an RN, Ingram has been working for Star Pediatric Home Care Agency, based in Mt. Laurel, NJ. “I do overnight home care for a baby who was born prematurely. I have bonded with the whole family,” she said. Ingram also works at Greenwood House, an assisted living facility and nursing home located in Ewing.
“I care for both the young and the old,” she observed, noting that her extensive experience with seniors dates back to her years as a CNA.
As Ingram contemplates future work in the hospital setting, she says she is prepared for the changed landscape wrought by the Covid pandemic. “Covid is part of life now. I will be ready. I will be doing life-saving work.”
Ingram continues to pursue her academic goals in earnest. In August, she enrolled at William Paterson University to earn her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She is buoyed by friends who are on the same journey. “We support each other. We are determined,” she said.
Ingram advises new students to “start small.” And she highly recommends starting at MCCC’s James Kerney Campus. “It’s very small. That was what really helped me. You could knock on anyone’s door any time.”
Ingram says she spreads the word about MCCC and JKC whenever she can. “It’s a first step. I try to mentor others just like Mr. Carter did for me.”
Ja'Ronda Ingram, center front, and other recipients of a scholarship presented by the Trenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 2015. Also pictured are MCCC President Jianping Wang, far left, and Delta Sigma representatives Carol Phillips, Linda Wyatt Simpson and Patricia Reed, on right.