Apr 07, 2026
News
In honor of National Nurses Month, we are proud to celebrate Rashell Torres, a Bridge to Employment (BTE) Norristown, PA, and Pathway to Success alumna, whose journey into nursing reflects extraordinary perseverance, resilience, and long-term commitment to her future.
Rashell dedicated three years to the BTE program and six years to Pathway to Success, while simultaneously navigating the demands of nursing school, part-time work, and intensive career readiness programming. In December, she graduated from Roxborough School of Nursing with her RN, and she is now working as a Registered Nurse at Holy Redeemer Hospital!
The Impact of Sustained Support
For Rashell, Pathways served as a critical foundation for both personal and professional growth. She credits the program with opening doors and providing consistent encouragement throughout her academic journey.
“The Pathways program has been one of the most meaningful opportunities in my life. It opened many doors for me, academically and professionally.”
Through BTE and Pathways, Rashell strengthened essential skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and organization- skills that continue to support her in fast-paced clinical settings. The program’s interview preparation, professional development experiences, and mentoring helped her build confidence and find her voice.
“I’ve always been a shy person, but through the program’s interview practice sessions and consistent support, I became much more comfortable and confident in expressing myself.”
Building Experience and Confidence in Healthcare
In 2022, Rashell completed a Johnson & Johnson Nursing Internship with the Global Community Impact J&J Nursing team, contributing to a project focused on diversifying the nursing workforce. As the only nursing student on her team, Rashell conducted research, built a scholarship database, and completed numerous interviews with nursing students, strengthening her research, communication, and leadership skills.
“My team valued my perspective… This experience motivated me to keep going with my nursing career.”
That internship became a defining moment for Rashell:
“It gave me a real glimpse into the world of nursing and helped me figure out what areas I was truly passionate about… It showed me that while nursing is challenging, it’s not impossible, and with the right support and mindset, I can handle it.”
In 2023, Rashell further strengthened her clinical skillset through a nurse externship with Main Line Health, where she worked on a stroke unit while still in nursing school. There, she gained hands-on experience supporting patient care, developing both technical and soft skills, including EKGs, glucose monitoring, phlebotomy, time management, communication, and teamwork.
“I gained many hard skills that I thought I wouldn’t be able to gain until graduation,” she reflected, noting that the experience reinforced her passion for bedside nursing.
Working directly with patients – many facing life-altering medical events – deepened her sense of purpose.
“This experience made me realize how vulnerable we are… and how passionate I am about nursing.”
Resilience, Role Modeling, and Looking Ahead
Throughout her six years in Pathways, Rashell balanced more than academics and professional experiences. She managed expectations, responsibilities, and personal challenges with maturity and resolve. She credits the consistent mentorship she received and the unwavering support of her mother for helping her stay grounded and motivated.
Today, Rashell is living the outcome of years of preparation. As a Registered Nurse at Holy Redeemer Hospital, she brings with her not only clinical knowledge, but empathy, professionalism, and a deep understanding of patient-centered care. She plans to continue her education by pursuing her BSN, remaining committed to growth and lifelong learning.
Looking back, Rashell sees Pathways as a critical bridge between college and career:
“Pathways doesn’t just prepare students for a career. It helps them believe in themselves and their potential.”
As we celebrate National Nurses Month, Rashell’s story reminds us that success is often built over time through sustained support, opportunity, and determination. Her journey reflects the power of long-term investment in young people and the impact of programs like BTE and Pathways in opening doors to meaningful careers.
Rashell has truly made her BTE and Pathways family proud, and we look forward to watching her continue to grow, lead, and care for others as she builds her nursing career.