Jennifer Hubbard of Princess Anne lives a life that demands constant attention to "time management."
The mother of four is pursuing a degree in nursing from Wor-Wic Community College, which awarded her a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the McCready (hospital) Foundation in Crisfield. She is the second person to be so honored.
"As an older student with little free time and financial resources," Hubbard said, "I do not underestimate the value of my current educational goals."
McCready sponsors an annual nursing scholarship at Wor-Wic to assist and encourage a deserving student who is pursing a career in healthcare. Hubbard is the recipient for the 2009-2010 academic year.
"I want to set an example for my children," Hubbard said, "If you set out to accomplish a goal and are determined to reach it, nothing is impossible."
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Hubbard's oldest child, Caitlin, 16, will graduate early from high school this spring and plans to enroll in Salisbury University in the fall. Caitlin has a 10-year-old sister, Madison, and two brothers, Ethan, 5, and Aiden, 3.
Born on Long Island (N.Y.), Hubbard moved with her family to the Eastern Shore when she was 6 years-old. She is a 1988 graduate of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School.
Hubbard had taken classes at Wor-Wic in the past and worked in accounting and as a bookkeeper before her family started to grow.
"Being a stay-at-home mother had always been important to me," she said. "However, with the economy in such a desperate situation, it is difficult to finance the day-to-day activities of life, let alone … the burden of tuition on one income."
Her husband, Rick, has an administrative position with a local grocery store chain. An honor student, Hubbard is also relying on a legislative scholarship and Pell grants to meet tuition payments.
Balancing a full class load and clinical assignments, fixing meals, supervising her children's homework while also doing her own has been a challenge, nonetheless, she said. She often doesn't get to bed before midnight.
She credits her husband with pitching in by doing laundry and helping at bath time.
"I wouldn't be able to do it all without him," Hubbard said. "The Christmas break was nice … just to catch my breath."
Hubbard homed in nursing as a career - she hopes to work in pediatrics - after seeing how doctors and nurses interacted with her children.
"I thought, 'What a great career. What a neat job'," she said.
Job security and the potential for flexible hours also were appealing.
"This is a major, life-changing decision I've made. It's not play time," Hubbard said. "I'm excited about the future."
In a "thank you" note she sent to McCready's administration, Hubbard wrote, "the nursing profession is highly respected and … I would love to be … part of (it)."
"I am a serious student," she said, "Your funds will not be wasted."