Stay at home mom completes goal of higher education
By Renee Larr
Attending college is an exciting yet stressful time in any student’s life. For more than 18 years, Fishers resident Robin Lucas was a stay-at-home mom focused on raising her three sons. While helping her oldest son, Steven, with his college applications Lucas realized a lifelong dream – to attend college and receive her degree.
“I like to joke around and say I was a stay-at-home mom but my contract was going to come to an end when there weren’t any kids to stay at home with anymore,” said Lucas.
Lucas married young and her priority became her growing family.
“The unique thing with Robin is this is her first degree. She went to college and did not finish her first time around. She ended up dropping out and starting a family,” said Amy Sproull, assistant director of career services for the nursing program at Ivy Tech.
Lucas did her research on colleges and degree programs. She had always wanted to be a nurse but assumed she couldn’t do it so she chose another route.
“She started out pursuing healthcare and surgery tech. She didn’t think she would be able to do nursing. She just wasn’t confident enough,” said Sproull.
“When I was in middle school and high school I volunteered as a candy striper and I always thought the nurses were the ones who were so friendly and to me the heart of the hospital. I always respected that,” said Lucas.
A light bulb went off and it dawned on Lucas to take a chance on nursing. She decided to work toward her associate of science in nursing degree.
“Seeing her confidence grow when I first met her on the career services side to when she started nursing school … she just kind of flourished and blossomed in this program,” said Sproull.
Lucas is able to work toward her degree while simultaneously working in the field. Ivy Tech ASN students are allowed to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination which allows them to start working as a registered nurse. Students can then work toward obtaining their bachelor of science in nursing degree.
Studying, working and raising kids all at once proved to be a little more difficult than Lucas realized.
“I had always been able to do everything myself and all of the sudden I really had to lean on my family and friends to help pick up the slack. There were a lot of things I didn’t have as much time to do like volunteer at the boys’ school,” said Lucas.
Even with the stress of school and family life Lucas maintained a positive attitude which she credits to her support system.
“My husband smiled and said you know ‘I always thought you should be a nurse but I just knew I had to wait for you to come around to it’. He has always been very supportive and he’s always been one of my best cheerleaders,” said Lucas.
Lucas would love to become a labor and delivery nurse. On her first day of clinicals for labor and delivery she helped deliver a baby.
“That was one of the most miraculous and wonderful things I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I knew as soon as that happened I was hooked,” said Lucas.
As a parent Lucas hopes her boys take something away from her inspiring story.
“I guess I would want them to learn that along the way you might make some mistakes and you might have some hurdles to jump through but just focus on what you really want and keep working toward that. Sometimes it may not happen overnight and it may take 20 years to get there but keep working on it. You’ll get there if you keep your eyes set on the goal,” said Lucas.
About Robin
Age: 44 years old
Married: Yes, Steven Lucas, Jr. for 23 years this July.
Kids: Steven Lucas III, 21; Jacob, 19 and Jarrod, 14.
Favorite thing about living in Fishers? Living 10 minutes from anything that I need and living close enough to enjoy all that Indianapolis has to offer.
Favorite activity to do in spare time? Being a full-time nursing student, what little spare time I have, I enjoy spending time with my family and catching up with friends over an extra long coffee date.
Favorite local restaurant? Bento Cafe
Something interesting that no one would know about you? I’m a WWII and the Tudor’s history buff. As well, as making jewelry by metalsmithing.
Favorite vacation spot? Destin, Fla.
