A Mission to Give Back

Diane Dubosse and her two brothers left Haiti when she was 19 years old, moving in with their father in New York City.

“Mostly we came here for the American dream — for a better life and better education,” she says. “Haiti and the U.S. were two totally different atmospheres, but I can say for sure this was a better choice for us.”

The adjustment was challenging, says Dubosse, especially having to learn a new language as a native speaker of French and Creole. She enrolled in high school but dropped out. She later earned her GED and spent a few semesters at a local community college in New York. When she had her first child, she quit college to work full time.

“I wanted to provide for my daughter,” she says. “I wanted to give her the better life that I didn’t get.”

Back in Haiti, Dubosse’s mother had cervical cancer. Inspired by her mother’s caregivers, Dubosse became a certified nursing assistant and took a job at a nursing home.

“Somebody was there to help her out,” she says. “I feel like what they did for my mom, I have to do for somebody else. I love to help people. That’s why I chose the medical field. People have been there for me, so I want to help as well. I want to give back.”

The job was difficult, but she enjoyed it. Part of the challenge was showing up to work every day with a positive mindset.

“I had a small child and was dealing with that plus work both mentally and physically,” she says. “I tried to go back to school as well, but I didn't have enough time for that. You must deal with your own life before you can care for patients. If you’re not happy at home, it’s going to be a challenge for you.”

Dubosse found satisfaction in giving the nursing home residents her very best. Her heart went out to the residents who had no one to visit them.

“I wanted to be like family to them and make them feel special,” she says.

In 2016, Dubosse moved to Allentown, Pa., for a quieter, less hectic living environment. She commuted to the nursing home, still working full time by taking lengthy shifts in order to have a three-day work week. In 2019, she landed a job as a personal care aide at St. Luke’s Hospital – Anderson Campus. She enjoys providing more advanced care, such as drawing blood and helping with EKGs, as well as receiving training every three months.

As her three children grew older and more self-sufficient, Dubosse decided that the timing was right to return to school and researched the possibilities. After comparing colleges, Dubosse found the right fit with Northampton Community College (NCC). NCC’s courses, affordability, location, and online classes provide Dubosse with the flexibility to balance school, work, and family.

A health sciences major, Dubosse is preparing to apply to NCC’s Registered Nursing Program next spring. Nursing is her dream job. While her current journey might not be as dramatic an undertaking as immigrating to the U.S., Dubosse’s motivation for enrolling at NCC is similar to the reasons she left her homeland – better opportunity.

“To me, knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have, the more you can help,” she says. “Right now, I’m limited in making decisions about patients. When I become a nurse, I’ll be able to decide with the provider about patient care.”

Dubosse hopes her educational journey inspires her children to pursue their own dreams: “I want to be an example for my children. If I can do it, they can do it as well. I’m grateful for life and everyone that surrounds me.”