Dallas College

Student Experience: Mark Powell, RN

“This was my fourth career change. I’d already had careers in the Royal Air Force, the British Foreign Service and the IT industry. This time, I wanted a career where I could really make a difference in people’s lives. 

“Nursing is such a vast field that no one program can prepare you for everything — there are so many directions to take, from geriatrics to pediatrics to hospice care. For my introduction to nursing, I chose an internship in the ER at Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas. This opportunity allowed me to build my skills and gave me valuable insight into the varied career opportunities that nursing offers. 

“I recently changed my focus and now specialize in caring for patients in the end-stages of life as an RN case manager for a local hospice. I continue to look back at my time here and the wonderful opportunities that the nursing program has given me.

“The Associate Degree Nursing program gave me the basic preparation for my career in nursing. No program can prepare you for everything you will see in the clinical setting, but this one prepared me well to take and pass the NCLEX examination. The most valuable part of my education was the clinical rotations — medical, surgical, psychiatric, labor and delivery, and pediatric — which gave me a greater exposure to the wide variety of careers in nursing.

“In terms of personal attributes, I think it helps to be older when you enter the nursing profession. Nursing can be very challenging, and it helps to be able to draw on life experiences in dealing with different personalities. Being confident and organized is also essential, and of course, you need to be prepared to work as part of a team. 

“Nursing is not a career to take lightly. This program gave me a foundation of skills that allowed me to build on my life experience and go forward with a new career.” 

Originally from England, Mark Powell had careers in the Royal Air Force and British Foreign Service, as well as the IT industry, before earning an associate degree in Nursing.


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Alyssa Young

Alyssa Young

Nursing Student and Athlete
“Community college gives you the opportunity to grow into adulthood while figuring out what you want to do with your life. With all of the resources available, it gives everyone a stable place to begin their college journey.”
Nursing
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Lupe Ortiz, RRT, NPS

Respiratory Care Practitioner Baylor University Medical Center
“I chose El Centro one, it was closer to home. It was a little more affordable than going to somewhere out of state or somewhere else. Just those two things were, were the main thing, the reason why I chose to go to El Centro. I think El Centro did an excellent job of preparing me for going into the workforce.”
Respiratory Care Program
Alice Madden

Alice Madden, CST, FAST

Certified Surgical Technologist Methodist Dallas Medical Center
“I will continue to be involved and to encourage and motivate surgical technologists to be the best they can be in all surgical specialties. I want to encourage all surgical technologists to become certified and become members of the AST and the Texas State Assembly.”
Surgical Technologist
Prayuth Phang

Prayuth Phang, RT(R)

Radiologic Technologist Community Portable X-ray Inc.
“Dallas College has a lot of programs for people who want to have a better life with education. I strongly recommend other students to join this program — they have the best teachers who really care about their students, as well as financial help available. I love what I’m doing, and I will continue doing it to serve people.”
General Studies, Radiologic Sciences
Mark Powell
Mark Powell, RN
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department Baylor University Medical Center
Nursing
School of Health Sciences
Updated July 28, 2026