Alumni of the Month: Ashley Parker

Ashley Parker is a Texarkana College Nursing graduate with an impactful story and a journey to share with the world. Her path to nursing began under incredibly difficult circumstances. After learning her daughter was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Ashley faced a heartbreaking decision: provide surgery and give her daughter a fighting chance, or allow her to pass peacefully. Choosing surgery, Ashley watched her daughter fight bravely, but unfortunately, she passed away just a day later. It was this experience in the NICU that sparked Ashley’s desire to become a nurse.

Ashley began her nursing career at Texarkana College, starting her journey with the Vocational Nursing (VN) program, and quickly transitioning into the Registered Nurse (RN) program, where she balanced her education while raising two young children and navigating a difficult divorce. After completing the RN program and graduating TC in 2014, Ashley began her career in the NICU, the very place where her passion for nursing had been ignited. There, she found her calling– working with newborns and their families. 

“The best part of NICU nursing for me is celebrating milestones and being there for parents– comforting them, answering their questions, and staying connected– even after their babies go home.”

Ashley’s dedicated work in the NICU led her and her new husband to become foster parents. They fostered five children over five years, eventually adopting four of them. Three of those children had ongoing medical challenges.

“My favorite part of fostering was watching them hit their milestones because, just from birth, they had such a struggle coming into the world.” For Ashley, fostering was about more than just providing a home– it was about giving these children a chance at life. “Some of these milestones they weren’t supposed to hit.”

Today, Ashley works as a hospice nurse and continues to advocate for children in foster care. She credits much of her success in the medical field to her experiences attending Texarkana College, where outgoing instructors, informational courses, and hands-on clinical opportunities helped shape her career.

“I think some of the patients that I met on the way to becoming a nurse impacted me,” she said. “I had my daughter’s memory, but seeing that I was making a difference and the people there were so thankful– that is a part of why I am here now.”

Ashley’s story is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the impact of a good education. She’s now using her experiences to support and inspire others as a nurse, a mother, and someone who believes caring for others is the greatest gift of all.