In 2008, Ashley Davis earned her first degree from Penn Commercial. “Straight out of high school I went into Medical Assistant,” says Davis, who is the Wellness Director for Appleblossom Senior Living in Moon Township, PA. “I remember the Medical Assistant teacher, Mrs. Shingle. She was fabulous. I loved her! Everything went smoothly then, so I figured I’d go back for the second time for something else.”
That second time came a dozen years later when Davis enrolled in the Practical Nursing program. “I worked for the same family doctor for 12 years. He always said when he retired I would go back for nursing so after he retired, I applied to the Practical Nursing program.”
After graduating with her second degree, Davis worked her way to the Wellness Director position at Appleblossom, which enables her to manage nurses, med techs and aids, hire staff and keep her community running smoothly and safely. Davis credits Penn Commercial’s faculty for helping her build a successful career.
“This school’s approach, I just felt more valued. I loved the teachers. They taught me everything I needed to know to pass my boards and move on,” says Davis. “We really learned a lot because it was hands-on. We trained a lot at Canonsburg hospital and learned a lot.”
While there are seemingly countless paths to take within the healthcare field, Davis always knew helping the elderly would be what she wanted to do.
“I have a heart for the elderly. That’s where my passion has always been even as a little girl I went and hung out with the older neighbors and played cards with them, picked up limbs for them, different stuff. I just think I’ve always had that heart.”
Davis believes nursing is a great career choice for others like her.
“If you have a heart for helping people, I think it’s a great direction to go. We definitely need nurses!”