Magnolia Manor Mom and Daughter Win Scholarships to Boost Their Nursing Skills

It’s not unusual to find mother-daughter teams working at our various Magnolia Manor senior living campuses. But one duo is taking their work to a higher level. They’ve gone back to school to expand their medical training. And they’ve just won scholarships to help fund their studies.

Meet Danielle Murphy and her daughter, Shermet Sims. Both are now Licensed Practical Nurses at the Americus Nursing Center, but they are working toward becoming Registered Nurses, or RNs.

With a Little Help from Their Friends

“We were informed by HR that we had won the first-ever South Georgia Technical College Magnolia Manor Senior Living Scholarships,” Danielle says proudly. Magnolia Manor partnered with the SGTC Foundation to create a scholarship fund to support the college’s TechForce “Bridging the Gap” initiative.

Bridging the Gap is a new, one-year program designed specifically to help currently Licensed Practical Nurses who have been working at least six months expand their careers by getting a jump-start on their RN degree. This will benefit not only Magnolia Manor but the entire region. Like other parts of the country, South Georgia is experiencing an acute shortage of skilled nurses at a time when demand for skilled nursing is rising.

Danielle was surprised to learn she had also been awarded a second occupational scholarship from SGTC.

Teaming Up to Achieve Their Dreams

Shermet says she and her mom encouraged one another to go back to school. “I love the company I work for,” she smiles. “They push you to be better, to progress. I have been an LPN since 2011. I have been at Magnolia Manor since I became an LPN, and I plan to stay at Magnolia Manor.” She credits her supervisor, Angela High, with pushing her to get her degree.

Danielle lives in Plains, and Shermet lives in Preston, but they still find ways to support one another. “We study together on the phone,” Danielle explains, “and we sit together in class, so we hold each other accountable. Sometimes she writes out the notes, and I’ll give her a call to send me those notes.”

Shermet says receiving the scholarship was very important. “I finished school, obtained my LPN, and began to work. But when your income goes up, sometimes you’re no longer eligible for federal benefits. So we had to pay out of pocket for our first semester. Magnolia Manor's introduction of this scholarship gave me hope that I could complete my degree.”

Who Will Be Next?

Danielle hopes others who work at Magnolia Manor will follow in her and Shermet’s footsteps, whether they are currently an LPN or even working in a non-medical position. “Have faith in yourself,” she advises. “Just step out on faith, leap into it, and if you put your mind to it, you can do it!”

It doesn’t matter how old you are or what level you are now, she says. Just get out there and say, “I’m going to do it!”

Start Your Next Chapter with Magnolia Manor

Stories like Danielle and Shermet’s are just one example of the supportive culture you’ll find at Magnolia Manor Senior Living. Whether you’re exploring a meaningful career path, seeking quality care for a loved one, or simply curious about what makes our 8 communities so special, we invite you to experience it for yourself.

Wherever you are in your journey, our team is here to help—answering your questions, sharing our story, and welcoming you in. Contact us today to learn more, give us a call at 855-540-LIFE (5433), or schedule a personal tour online—we’d love to show you what makes Magnolia Manor feel like home.