Beltran Sisters Make Nursing a Family Tradition
For the Beltran sisters – Yesenia, CRKC ’12, and Vanessa , CRKC ’14 – Cristo Rey Kansas City was the launch pad that inspired them to pursue careers in nursing.
While still in high school, Yesenia initially thought she wanted to pursue a college degree in graphic art. Science Power©, an extra-curricular program for high school students, hooked her on a career path in health care. After graduation, she attended Avila University, graduating from its School of Nursing in 2016 with a BSN.
“I took and passed my boards in 2016,” said Yesenia, who now is employed as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Mercy Clinics on Broadway.
On the job, Yesenia works in the Chico Clinic, where staff must understand many languages, cultures and values. The Qualified Bilingual Staff (QBS) certification measured her ability to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking patients and families and to interpret medical terminology and tasks.
“On the job, being bi-lingual is an asset,” said Yesenia. “I support well-child visits, explain and administer immunizations, and help parents and children with routine lab work.”
For Yesenia, being a nurse incorporates all of the things that she loves, “science, people and critical thinking.”
No surprise that younger sister followed Yesenia to Cristo Rey Kansas City. 
“It was a combination of factors that brought me to Cristo Rey: my sister, my friends, and the work study program,” said Vanessa Beltran. “Even though I was only 14, performing work-study at Commerce Bank taught me how to conduct myself professionally, to talk to adults, and to have confidence in myself.”
“As high school graduation approached, I was stunned – and cried! – when I learned that I received scholarships from the Fendler Family Fund and the Hispanic Development Fund,” said Vanessa. “This support allowed me to go to Rockhurst University.”
“When I entered college, I was prepared,” said Vanessa. “Being able to manage my time has helped me in class and through the clinical program at Research College of Nursing.”
As a senior in high school, Vanessa studied for and received certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Through networking with the National Association for Hispanic Nurses, she got her first job in health care. Currently, Vanessa goes to school and works through clinical rotations at Research. She also works part-time at Maddie Rhodes as a medical assistant in the outpatient clinics and at Children’s Mercy Hospital as a nurse technician. She is on track to graduate in 2018.
Yesenia and Vanessa Beltran are proof of Benjamin Franklin’s wise words, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” As first generation college students, they know that hope and opportunity drove their parents to leave everything they knew behind and immigrate to the United States.
To Jose and Eva Beltran, Cristo Rey shares your pride. Your daughters worked hard, kept hope, and seized every opportunity in their path.