News

GRAINGER SHIFTS FROM TRANSPORTATION TO NEW CAREER IN PRACTICAL NURSING

Contact: ROBurchette@gtcc.edu                                              (Released 6/6/11)

JAMESTOWN - Elton Grainger Jr. decided to shift gears during his career with Yellow-Roadway Trucking Co. in Kernersville, and take a new career path. He took early retirement last August after 18 years with Roadway, and entered the practical nursing program at Guilford Technical Community College.

"I believe there will be a strong demand for jobs in nursing for the next 10 to 15 years," Grainger said.
His change of careers wasn't only for a job. "Who wouldn't love going to work each day knowing you are giving something back to help people?" he said. "I know it is a cliché but you have to love what you are doing if you want to be the best nurse," Grainger said.

Grainger, who will graduate July 27 in a pinning ceremony that will include 23 students, already has had successful experiences in nursing. "He is a role model to every student in the Practical Nurse Program. He is a very good nursing student, who will be a great nurse," said Jenny Wallace, GTCC's practical nurse program coordinator.  He looks forward to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse, he said.

Grainger was honored recently as GTCC's outstanding diploma graduate.  Although he has a four-year degree in business from East Carolina University and an earlier two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree from GTCC, Grainger said he wanted "something to do that helps people."  Visits with his ill father were an inspiration to want to help elderly patients.

Grainger grew up in the community of Graingers, about five miles north of Kinston.
He's a helper and a leader already. He volunteers at Homeplace of Burlington where he worked with residents who have Alzheimer's disease. "Residents and staff alike adore him as a special individual who always goes the extra mile to engage this senior population," Wallace said.

Grainger tutors other nursing students when called upon, and is a member of the Nurse Christian Fellowship.
He finished his first degree with honors (Phi Theta Kappa) in Information Systems Technology with a programming concentration at GTCC in 2001. He worked in various roles at Yellow-Roadway including the dock, driver/driver sales representative in the Richmond and Charlotte markets.
Even before he retired from the trucking business, Grainger had a yearning for nursing. "I would work a 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift then go to nursing classes in the evenings. I'd change clothes in the car before I went to class," he said.
"Sometimes I would get tired but I would remember what my late father, Elton Sr., would say to me as a child: 'Son at times you may not be the smartest person in the room but never allow yourself to be outworked.' ''

"I am thankful for the environment I found in the nursing program at GTCC - one that encourages a nurse to be the best they can be," Grainger said.

Grainger likes working with patients but ultimately would like to combine his business experience with his nursing education and find a job in hospital administration. This is his goal after gaining experience working fulltime at a hospital or long-term care nurse," he said. "When you help yourself,  you help your community," Grainger said.

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