Practical Nursing Student Receives Nightingale Award Scholarship

Lekia Cook (Murrell Dobbins High School, Philadelphia) is studying Practical Nursing at Manor College.

Lekia Cook’s phone buzzed on the table, but the call that would change her life went unanswered.

“Me… if I don’t know the number, I don’t answer,” Cook said. “It was like, ‘Oh, this number looks fake.’ It just so happened this time that someone left a message.”

Cook called back, and discovered she was the recipient of the Licensed Practical Nursing Scholarship from the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania.

“Getting this award, it just feels surreal,” said Cook. “It means that they see my vision of becoming a nurse. I’m being seen. It just proves that whatever I want to seek out, I can do.”

The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania promotes careers in nursing by recognizing exemplary nurses and providing nursing scholarships at all levels. Since 1990, they have granted 236 scholarships across the Commonwealth.

The organization chooses scholarship winners based on her professional leadership, academic achievement, leadership potential, community service and personal commitment.

“Lekia has balanced her home, family, academic and work roles throughout the Practical Nursing program,” Regina Wright, Director of Manor’s Practical Nursing program, said. “She encourages her peers to persevere toward the goal of safe, caring practice.”

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Julie Njoku-Anderson, Practical Nursing Clinical Coordinator, added, “Lekia’s achievement reflects her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to the nursing profession. As a nurse educator, it is incredibly rewarding to witness students like Lekia pursue their dreams. I have no doubt she will be an incredible nurse.”

Cook, a mother of three from Philadelphia, is in the second year of Manor’s Practical Nursing program. She currently works as an Intensive Care Unit Secretary for Jefferson Health and became inspired to pursue her own career in nursing based on her colleagues.

“They don’t see this profession as a paycheck,” Cook said. “They want to see our patients do well and be well. I have always been a person that has been supportive and always wanted to care and help others, whether it was working for an office or helping the general public. I found my passion in nursing.”

Cook came to Manor College because of the institution’s values, mission and beliefs. She fell in love with the community – a “supportive” atmosphere where “they’re always willing to lend a helping hand.”

“Manor is family,” Cook said. “When I come in here, I see beautiful smiles, friendly hellos and everyone is willing to help you.”

That community has been especially helpful balancing being a full-time job, a parent and a full-time student.

“Some days, I don’t even know what day it is,” Cook said, explaining she works nearly 40 hours within three days per week.

When her schedule gets tough, she leans on those around her, like Professors Regina Wright and Julie Njoku-Anderson, who constantly check in on her. She also finds inspiration from her own potential.

“I’m pushing through because I know I’m close to the end, and I’m not just doing it for me,” Cook said. “I’m doing it for my family. I’m doing it for my future patients that I want to take care of.”