Pennsylvania Nursing Student Lives in Tent to Pursue Education Against All Odds
The story of a nursing student who went to incredible lengths to get his education is emerging out of Centre County, PA.
Jaden Wagoner said he was struggling as a teenager.
Local nursing student lives in tent to pursue education against all odds, Image source: MSN
“I was working kitchen jobs. I have nothing against kitchen jobs. Every job in America matters. We’re all trying to run an economy and everything,” Wagoner said as he reflected on his experience.
He said he had a dream and wanted to attend the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology to take nursing classes. Two problems though, little or no money, and more importantly Wagoner lived an hour away near Williamsport, with no means of transportation. That’s when he said he had to make a tough decision.
“I remember finding this spot on Google Earth. I was like there’s a clearing right here. I took a machete and cleared everything out. I set up a tent.”
He decided to live in a tent, in the woods, near the school. He still had mile walk to get there plus deal with overnight wildlife.
“The coyotes the first night, that was no joke. There were at least six of them. The next day I went out, I had vinegar and tabasco sauce that i just poured around my site. I heard six of them, I was terrified,” Wagoner said.
His decision to stay in a tent drew reactions from those who learned what he was doing.
“I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted out of the life I had. Everybody thought i was crazy.”
Wagoner made it through school. He's now a certified nurse’s aide.
“Don’t give up. There’s so many reasons to give up,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean you should do it.”
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