Lakesha Hairston MSN, BSN, RN: A Dedicated Nurse Leader and Educator
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.
