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Playing The Hand You're Dealt

By John Rountree, Photography Instructor

Randy Gibson, a recent graduate of the McDowell Technical Community College Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program, will tell you that realizing a dream deferred is the sweetest experience in his life. After waiting for more than 20 years, Randy is well on his way to reaching his dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.

In an ideal world, Randy would already be a practicing nurse with many years of experience under his belt. But family responsibilities and financial hardship originally dictated another path for him.

After leaving high school, Gibson took a job at Joan Fabrics in Catawba County as a forklift operator. There he worked hard and moved up the corporate ladder, eventually becoming part of the management team as an Information Technologist in telecommunications. While his work had rewards, his dream of becoming a nurse never dimmed. And even while working in the textile industry, Randy still helped others. “I am always willing to teach, and to listen,” he said. “I have counseled many young men in situations when they had trouble.”

Like so many others impacted by the death of the domestic textile industry, Randy’s job in telecommunications disappeared when Joan Industries closed their Catawba County facility and shifted those jobs to Mexico. As often happens, what at first seemed like a devastating setback, actually opened the door of opportunity.

With money available for re-training, Randy decided it was time to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a nurse. But the Catawba County office of the NC Employment Security Commission initially told him that he could not take nursing classes. Not to be deterred, Gibson approached several colleges about being a nurse but continued to run into roadblocks. Eventually, he decided to enroll in classes at Western Piedmont Community College to study Social Work.

While at Western Piedmont, however, one of the counselors at the Burke County Employment Security Commission told him about the Practical Nursing program at McDowell Tech. That was the opening for which he had been searching. Randy soon enrolled at MTCC and his dream began to grow legs.

Once he was accepted into the program, his instructors soon discovered that the 42 year-old Randy was not only highly motivated, but he exhibited a crucial attribute for anyone wanting to become a successful nurse, an attribute that cannot be taught. Randy was filled with compassion for other people, especially those who are suffering.
Randy’s early life was not easy and carefree. A month after Gibson was born, his father lost a leg in an industrial accident, leaving him disabled and physically unable to provide for the family. In addition, his father was illiterate and there was no other way for him to work, despite his desire to do so. Time’s were tough, to say the least. His mother was left with the responsibility of raising Randy and his two older brothers and providing for the family’s many needs. These were the times that taught Randy compassion.

In addition to his own family, the Gibson’s were very close to one of their neighbors. As Randy reflects back, he is proud to say that he grew up with two mothers. However, his “other mother” had two sons, both of whom faced challenges from mental disabilities. Prior to her passing, she asked Randy to take care of the two boys after her death. Without hesitation, he agreed. Though one of these “special brothers” has since died, Randy cared for him for 11 years. Now, he continues to look after his other “ special brother,” Ronnie Lowman, after Lowman’s wife died in 2002. In fact, Randy petitioned the court and was named the legal custodian for his “brother” Ronnie. Today, Randy, who never married, also cares for his own mother, who is 84 years old and lives with him on their old family farm in Icard.

Although Randy grew up on a farm, during his younger years he couldn’t wait to get away and do something else. But as often happens, life has come full circle. He now loves to garden and make things grow. He tends 12 raised planting beds at his home in Icard. Talking to him, the similarities between gardening and nursing are not lost, since both are a process of nurturing.

Despite the hardships he has overcome, Gibson has a quick wit and a strong sense of humor. For him, the glass will always be half-full. “Life is difficult, it’s very difficult, but if you feel comfortable about yourself, you can laugh about life. I find that a lot of people can’t do that, and that is sad. I tell my fellow students, if it’s not fun, we’re not going to do it. So we’re going to make it fun!”

According to his instructors at McDowell Tech, the recent graduate was a real asset to everyone in the Practical Nursing Program. Because he cares about those around him, he was able to provide support to his fellow students. His humor was a spark of relief during the often-demanding requirements of the Nursing curriculum.

Asked about the education and training offered at McDowell Tech, Gibson has a quick response; he is effusive in his praise of his teachers. “Terri McClelland is superb, a fantastic lady. I learned bushels from that lady.” Ms. McClelland, who was recently selected as Teacher of the Year, teaches both Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology.
Randy has high praise for his other teachers also. “It was hard, but we had excellent instructors. I call them Sugar and Spice. Mrs. Judy Melton is the Sugar and Laura Bartlett is the Spice. Because Mrs. Melton is just calm and serene, she walks into the room and everyone just calms down. I don’t know what it is about her, but she has a presence. And Laura Bartlett-- oh my heavens! The lady will come dancing into the classroom!”

He also acknowledges the contribution of Penny Cross, who is the Director of the Practical Nursing Education Program and Dean of Health Sciences. “She often goes unsung, but she is a hero. If she wasn’t there, we wouldn’t have these programs, or they wouldn’t be as high caliber as they are, because she has high standards.”
Just as impressive as the teaching, Gibson believes, is the attitude of all the teachers he has encountered at the College. “I’d say that 99% of the instructors I’ve had at this college were about the success of their students.” Gibson went on to say that previous experience in a different Community College did not show the same level of caring and concern he found at MTCC.

Having now completed his LPN training program, Randy has applied to enter the Registered Nursing Program. After completing studies in the RN program at McDowell Tech, Randy plans to enroll at Appalachian State University to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Ultimately he hopes to work in Asheville at the VA Hospital. His reason for wanting to work at the Oteen hospital should be obvious. Randy explains, “I think we owe those men and ladies a tremendous amount, and I hate to see the predicament they are in. I think we owe them a debt we can never repay. We owe them a lot.”

A smart, selfless, caring man, Randy Gibson sums up his philosophy by simply saying, “How can you live and not realize that you are blessed?”

For people like him, you want all of their dreams to come true.

Editor’s Note: As this article went to press, the College was notified that Gibson passed his NCLEX Nursing Exam for licensure as an LPN. Congratulations, Randy!