A resident of Calimesa, CA, Donna De Silva will soon receive her AA degree in Nursing from College of the Desert. She plans to obtain her Master's degree in Nursing so that she can teach Nursing courses in the future. A former truck driver, Donna is excited and motivated to be pursuing her degree in a new field.

A mother of 2 sons, Donna enjoys volunteer work at both of her sons' schools. She stays busy with car pooling and participating in charity fund raisers.

What does it mean to you to be awarded a GoGirl grant?

Well, it was really cool because it was the first scholarship I ever received. I was so excited because I had been turned down for several scholarships based on my FAFSA because I had had a job the previous year. So according to their rules, I did not qualify for their scholarships even though I had quit my job to go to school full time. I was thrilled to find someone who could look past the FAFSA and was willing to help me with my schooling. Then I met Thalia and Katie at the initial interview at Coco's and they just killed me! I could have sat there all afternoon and yakked with them! They were great! Then I got to know more of the Girlfriends like Joan and Michele and others at the GoGirl Luncheon, and it was really cool-they were really interested in me and what I was doing and they were so very supportive. That's the most important thing-I have my own cheering section. I have girlfriends who care about ME! They didn't just hand me a check and wish me well, they really do care about how I am doing and are willing to help me in anyway they can. I can and have utilized their expertise and wisdom when I have had questions like, "What should I wear to an interview at the hospital to make a great impression?". I put the question out there and I got a great response. It seems like a silly thing, but I really don't have girlfriends I can ask that sort of thing. I have a husband, children (male), and classmates who wear nothing but scrubs. I have acquired many new 'Girlfreinds'. They have not only given me financial aid to help me through school, they have also given me wonderful support that I haven't gotten anywhere else. Those women are a wonderful inspiration to other women!

Describe your motivation and inspiration for continuing your education and career goals at this stage in your life.

I was an OTR (over the road; which means cross-country) truck driver that came off the road for the sake of love. I got a local job delivering merchandise to Costco warehouses and was quickly tired of LA traffic. While sitting in that LA traffic I decided that I did not want to grow up to be and old truck driver. One day in 2000, I was cruising through the local community college catalog and I discovered nursing and teaching. I flip-flopped between the two and decided on nursing for the time being. I started taking pre-requisites and finally got accepted into a nursing program in 2006. When I graduate I plan on pursuing my Master's in teaching. This way I can combine the best of both worlds. See the picture I attached. The first one is a card my grandmother sent me-oh no! The second is a portrait hanging up at Loma Linda Medical Center. Donna's career before and after school!

What advice would you offer other women who are considering going back to school to make a career change?

Oh my, there is so much. First, have a financial plan. Make sure you can afford to pay for books, school, and everyday life for however long you are planning on going to school. Apply for any and every scholarship you can-even if you don't think you will get it! Reasearch student loans-they aren't as cheap as they used to be, but if you need them they are there-not only for the poverty stricken but for people in the middle too! Second, discuss this with your family. If you have a husband and/or kids, you will need to enlist their help in the day-to-day chores at home. They also need to know that you are commited and that you will be dividing your time with school/homework as well as with them. It really can be a strain so try to prepare them ahead of time. Third, DO IT! Even if you start out slowly and only take one or two classes at a time. It has taken me SEVEN years to get where I am now-it has been worth every minute! At this stage in my life, college has been more interesting and more rewarding than it was when I was 18-of course there are fewer toga parties now than there were back then! Fourth, emotional support. If you are taking on a long-term endeavor make sure you have many shoulders to cry on when things get rough. Friends/family will divide your grief as well as double your joy!