Cassie Littrell didn’t take the traditional route to graduation day. In fact, she took a detour, a job, and about a decade.
Ten years after finishing high school, Littrell walked the stage at Muscatine Community College as a nursing graduate—and a student speaker for her class.
“I really didn’t expect to see myself here five years ago,” Littrell said. “If you would have asked me, I definitely would not be here right now.”
But here she was. Littrell spent nearly a decade working in long-term care before deciding to officially pursue a nursing degree. She had already taken every continuing education course she could find. Eventually, she said, it was time for “real school.”
Littrell had enrolled at MCC right after high school, but life had other plans at the time. Years later, the college’s convenient location and welcoming environment drew her back.
“It didn’t work out for me back then,” she said. “But I had a great experience with the staff, and I was still living in Muscatine. I kind of just fell right back into it.”
Once enrolled, she discovered a challenging academic environment that pushed her forward.
“I was surprised at how advanced the classes were,” Littrell said. “It was a thorough education—and awesome. I met a lot of amazing people.”
As a full-time employee and full-time student, Littrell appreciated the flexibility of her early coursework. Prerequisites were offered online and in formats that fit her schedule. The nursing program demanded more time on campus, but by then, she was all in.
MCC’s clinical experiences helped Littrell build confidence—and connections. She’ll soon begin working at a hospital where she already knows the staff, thanks to those same clinicals.
“It’s a smooth transition,” she said. “I feel prepared, absolutely.”
Littrell isn’t stopping here. She’s already enrolled in an RN-to-BSN bridge program and is considering a future in teaching. Perhaps at MCC.
“Maybe I’ll come back and teach,” she said, grinning.
As for her advice to other students who might be unsure or starting later than expected?
“It’s not too late,” she said. “You can do both—work and school. Just get started.”
