Lakesha Hairston, MSN, BSN, RN, is the owner and founder of Choezen Careers and Healthcare Training (CCHT) in San Antonio, Texas. Hairston is an experienced nursing leader who started as a healthcare aide at 16. Her healthcare journey began in high school, and she worked her way up the leadership ladder.
Motivated by her desire to make a difference and inspired by Red Cross commercials, she saw healthcare as an opportunity to work towards a better future. Her mom and older sister were Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), further inspiring her to pursue a healthcare career.
“I knew that I wanted to do something different. I didn't quite know what it was, but I knew I wanted to do something different. And, I recall seeing commercials [for] the red cross, with Clara Barton, and I’m like, oh my goodness, this is healthcare,” she recalls.
“I knew that I wanted to do something different. I didn't quite know what it was, but I knew I wanted to do something different. And, I recall seeing commercials [for] the red cross, with Clara Barton, and I’m like, oh my goodness, this is healthcare,” she recalls.
Hairston began working as a homecare assistant during high school to gain independence to buy her favorite things. These include the latest fashion styles to having take-out, such as McDonald’s. As a home care assistant, she went into the homes of homebound individuals, prepared meals, did laundry, and ran errands.
She acted as a companion to those she cared for and sometimes drove them to appointments or took them grocery shopping. She loved the job because it allowed her to be independent and earn money without burdening her family.
With dreams of graduating with a high school diploma, she knew, “I still had a graduate from high school, so it was something for me to do; that was easy. That would not interfere with my plans of graduating.”
In 1995, Hairston went to college, received her associate’s degree, and became a medical assistant (MA). As an MA, she performed EKGs, blood work, and clerical duties in the doctor's office.
As fate would have it, a position at the Red Cross opened up for drawing blood. A little over a year later, at the Red Cross, she returned to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). This new position led her into leadership roles, such as a team lead for the Red Cross bloodmobiles.
She continued to grow and take more opportunities spending the next 13 years at the Red Cross in management or leadership positions.
Hairston's biggest motivation and support system came from her two sons, whom she had at a young age. As a single mother, she faced many challenges, but her sons motivated her to keep going and be a good role model for them.
When asked about her motivations for becoming a nurse, Ms. Hairston said it was a job opportunity that first sparked her interest. She was approached by an HR director who suggested that she apply for a district manager role, which required a nursing degree.
“I was approached by an HR director. In order for me to continue to grow, there was a position, a district manager role. In order for me to even be considered and to even apply for that role, a requirement for me was to have a nursing degree, so I decided to go back to school.” Hairston said.
After becoming a nurse, she realized her nursing skills were essential and did not want to let those go to waste. After completing her ADN, Hairston worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) on a med-surge unit. She soon realized she wanted to use her experience and knowledge to impact healthcare significantly.
“Once I finished that ADN degree, I was just like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is a lot of schooling and a lot of education,’ and I didn't want to lose those skills. So, from that point, I decided that I wasn't going to stay at the American Red Cross even though I was there for so long,” she said, remembering why she had left.
Hairston's career in healthcare really took off when she became a nurse. Her passion for nursing led her to pursue higher education and work in various specialties, including surgery, trauma, neuro ICU, and travel ICU.
She continued her education and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2011 and her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 2013. She worked up to leadership roles, including charge nurse, nurse manager, and infection control.
Lakesha Hairston's commitment to her profession and outstanding leadership skills were recognized when she was awarded the prestigious "Best 25 Nurses of South Central Texas" for Leading Complex Organizations in 2018. This remarkable achievement reflected her unwavering dedication and passion for the healthcare industry.
It was a proud moment for Hairston, who had worked hard to overcome challenges and obstacles to reach this pinnacle of success. She faced a lack of encouragement to move up in her career, and her introverted personality sometimes led to her being overlooked. Others also underestimated her, but she persevered and worked hard to achieve her goals.
“Being underestimated was another challenge, you know, because I knew that I was talented, but when you don't have a lot of encouragement, you don't know what you’re capable of doing,”
“Being underestimated was another challenge, you know, because I knew that I was talented, but when you don't have a lot of encouragement, you don't know what you’re capable of doing,” says Hairston.
Hairston's extensive experience in nursing leadership roles, including as a Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing, gave her a deep understanding of the healthcare system. However, she began to feel like she was losing her compassion for patients in these roles, which prompted her to take a bold step and pivot her career. She decided to open a healthcare education training school to utilize her talents and passion for teaching in her own way.
Her background, with a lack of encouragement for education, inspired her to implement programs that would inspire and encourage students to pursue a career in healthcare. In August 2020, she opened up her school CCHT. She believes that sharing her story can be of assistance to others and endeavors to spread laughter wherever she travels.
“Always do what's right. Even when no one is watching. I say that. I don't know how many times countless times,”
Hairston advises her students to commit to higher education and find something that makes them happy. She encourages her students always to do the right thing, even when no one is looking, and to seek education to learn more. “Always do what's right. Even when no one is watching. I say that. I don't know how many times countless times,” Hairston comments about teaching her students.
Hairston is a very genuine and direct individual who holds herself accountable and hopes to inspire her students. She advises aspiring CNA candidates to be themselves, reflects on their past, and focus on moving forward.
“Think about what you want to do. What direction do you want to go in? Are you wanting to become a nurse and grow as a nurse? Are you looking just to be a CNA and stay there? There are some individuals who are professional Certified Nursing Assistants, and they absolutely love it!”
“Think about what you want to do. What direction do you want to go in? Are you wanting to become a nurse and grow as a nurse? Are you looking just to be a CNA and stay there? There are some individuals who are professional Certified Nursing Assistants, and they absolutely love it!” She notes.
Breann Kakacek, BSN, RN, is a writer at Dreambound. She has been a RN for more than 8 years and a CNA for 2 years. She has worked in medical ICU, cardiovascular ICU and moonlighted in the OR as a circulating nurse. She has a passion for writing and enjoys sharing her nursing knowledge.