Vital Signs of Change: Meet Keagan Hemenway

“When you are going to college to do something you want to do, your drive is a lot stronger,” said Keagan Hemenway. “Before, I would just give up when things got too hard. Now, I don’t even consider that an option, not when I feel personally invested in my education and really want to understand what I’m learning.”

Keagan is currently a student in South Puget Sound Community College’s Nursing Program. He reflected on his academic journey so far, sharing that it hasn’t always been a clear path. With two decades of experience as a restaurant manager and chef, Keagan studied business administration with the goal of one day owning a business. He slowly realized that it wasn’t the right fit.

“I tried taking classes at SPSCC three times before,” Keagan shared. “Business administration speaks to a lot of people, it just didn’t speak to me. It just seemed like my best course of action at the time. Taking classes reflected my true thoughts: I wasn’t fully there.”

In 2017, Keagan had a health scare, resulting in a two-month stay in the ICU at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. This experience made him reconsider what he wanted his future to look like. 

“It actually transformed my life for the better, honestly. I take my health more seriously now and I was more driven than I’ve ever been to pursue education. I wanted to give back what I was afforded, which was life, essentially.”

Since then, Keagan has explored various opportunities in the medical field. His interests include emergency medication, flight nursing, and emergency medical services, drawn to the fast-paced nature of the environment. He attended Tacoma Community College and became a certified EMT in 2019. His passion for nursing developed while working at Providence St. Peter Hospital as an operating room assistant. While he was initially unsure about caring for patients who were sick like he once was, Keagan found inspiration in the highly educated and motivated team of doctors and nurses he worked with. That’s when he decided he was ready to apply for SPSCC’s Nursing Program.

“I’ve always liked SPSCC. A big part of that is that I’ve always found professors I can connect to on a personal level who offer a lot of guidance,” said Keagan. “To me, the college seemed to foster professors that had so much support to give.”

Keagan feels that same connection with his nursing professors at SPSCC. He appreciates how they incorporate laughter and fun into the curriculum since they recognize the challenges that come with being a college student.

“It’s so refreshing. Nursing school isn’t easy, but the fact that they try to alleviate the pressure is a big relief. It makes it easier to bear the tougher moments for sure,” Keagan shared. “The balance and organization of the program is impressive to me. The staff and faculty have made sure that every single lesson correlates with a best practice on the state board and the national board. It’s incredible how relevant the education is with no fluff.”

It wasn’t just the supportive academic environment that Keagan was drawn to. He also highlights SPSCC’s financial services as a key factor in his decision to enroll again.

“Go to the One Stop and talk to one of the financial advisors immediately,” he recommended. “The financial aid process doesn’t always go smoothly, but the staff at the One Stop have been so patient when helping me iron out any problems I had. The One Stop is hands down the number one resource at SPSCC.”

Keagan also acknowledged the invaluable support he received through SPSCC Foundation scholarships. While facing a substantial rise in the cost of living, the scholarships played a crucial role in bridging that financial gap, giving Keagan peace of mind to stay focused on his studies.

“I first received the Providence Southwest Washington Foundation scholarship in Fall Quarter which helped cover the gap in tuition assistance that I needed,” he said. “And then I received a training fund which is a collaboration between Providence St. Peter Hospital and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW that pays tuition upfront. It will be covering a majority of my tuition this Spring Quarter, as well as subsequent quarters through the rest of the program. Without this support, school would not be something I could continue to pursue.”

Since starting the Nursing Program, Keagan's perspective on education has changed a lot, and that’s something he’s grateful for.

“I stopped taking science classes in high school. I thought ‘I’ll never use any of this’. I guess I’ll eat those words for the rest of my life,” Keagan joked. “Unlike high school, I’m not just here trying to complete assignments or doing the work just so it’s done. I’m interested in the content, I know what it means, and I know how I’m going to use it in the future.”

Keagan has no plans of slowing down on his educational journey. For him, the next step is to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP). He also hopes to explore his interest in anesthesiology and has even considered pursuing his doctorate.

“For anyone considering a career change or returning to education, all I can say is do it. Don’t ever think you’re too old or financially unviable,” he encouraged. “There are resources out there to help you. I’m the perfect example of someone who never thought I’d continue my education, but here I am.

“My experience at SPSCC has made me realize that I love education. It’s a different outlook than I’ve ever had and it’s great to know that I can keep going. I’m not going to stop any time soon. Becoming an ARNP or nurse anesthetist is within my reach, but who knows? Becoming an anesthesiologist has also been a dream of mine and I never say never. Not anymore.”