STC graduate aims to break barriers as an LGBTQ+ nurse

At 20 years old, South Texas College graduate Noe Gabriel Nuñez is certain that his future lies in nursing. Taking his first step toward a successful career, he recently earned a certificate as a Patient Care Technician (PCT), marking the beginning of his journey toward nursing and following in his mother’s footsteps.

As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Nuñez is not only pursuing his passion for nursing, but also breaking stereotypes and inspiring others to follow their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.

“I decided to go into nursing after witnessing my mother’s growth and her selflessness toward others. I want to help people the way she does,” Nuñez said. “But I also want to make my own mark and break stereotypes. Not many people like me go into nursing because of the stigma, where people can sometimes be rude or afraid. I always strive to challenge those stereotypes and be a different kind of nurse.”

Born and raised in Rio Grande City, Nuñez spent the last semester driving about an hour back and forth to McAllen to pursue his Patient Care Technician certificate.

During this time, he also earned credentials as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomist and Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician.

“It’s amazing everything we get to do in just one semester. This is the true foundation of what nursing really is. My next step is earning my Vocational Nursing certificate, then I’ll be ready to move on to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and eventually the Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” he explained. “I’m taking my time with each step because I’m committed to putting in the work. I see myself working in a hospital and helping patients for the rest of my life.”

Nuñez’s mother, Melissa Peña, completed the same pathway just four years ago, graduating from STC’s ADN program in 2020 and like her son, STC’s PCT program. It was through the PCT program that she said she built a supportive network at the college, including PCT Program Chair Sharon Rice, who helped deliver Peña’s first-born son while working as a nurse.

That son, Nuñez’s older brother, is now set to graduate with his Bachelor’s in Medical and Health Services Management next May, also from STC.

“We are a true Jaguar family, and it all comes from my mom. She has dedicated herself to raising us, and now we both aspire to be like her,” Nuñez added. “I’ve definitely found the same inspiration in nursing. I got home from clinicals really late one day, and my mom was just arriving as well. I realized we were living the same experiences, which will give us a special bonding opportunity.”

Nuñez added that the PCT program also provided him with special opportunities to explore various aspects of the nursing profession, and he now aspires to work in an emergency room or intensive care unit (ICU), ultimately aiming to become a nurse practitioner, an advanced practice registered nurse with specialized clinical training.

“We got a glimpse into the many opportunities in the nursing field, which is a great way to see if you truly want to, and can, become a nurse,” he said. “My goal is to become a nurse practitioner, but to get there, you have to start from the basics such as learning how to properly care for a patient, inserting an IV and mastering all the essential skills that advanced nurses rely on to succeed. My experience in the hospital was incredibly rewarding, and it has inspired me to continue improving myself every step of the way.”

He plans to pursue a job in phlebotomy before taking the next step in his journey with STC’s Vocational Nursing program next year. But for now, he’s cherishing his first major milestone – walking across the graduation stage, just the first of many to come.

“I’m really grateful for all the opportunities and career paths that STC offers. The connections I’ve made in just one semester, not only within my cohort but across other programs, are something you don’t find anywhere else,” he said. “I’m certain I can grow to be an amazing nurse because I’ve witnessed my mom do it. Everywhere I go, people recognize me as her son and constantly tell me how amazing she is, which makes me want to be like her. I’m ready to get there, and I’m confident that STC will help me.”