Man on a mission: Resident to become a missionary nurse
Jo Danforth
A Lehigh Acres man, who graduated from a nursing college in Immokalee as a LPN, is preparing for two more years at Florida Southwestern State College with plans to become a missionary nurse.
Jo Danforth, 21, who was raised in Alva and graduated from the LaBelle High School in 2013, was one of about 20 nursing graduates from Immokalee Technical College.
Danforth said he was interested in the field of nursing ever since he was a teenager. He plans to see his dream come true once he gets his bachelor’s degree in nursing, passes tests to become an RN and finishes classes at a local seminary.
“I want to help others and, with the training from the seminary, I could go anywhere to help,” said Danforth, who thinks more men should consider nursing as a profession.
He was a sophomore at LaBelle when he made his decision to become a nurse and attend seminary, becoming certified in both fields.
“I had always been interested in helping others and while I was in high school, a teacher encouraged me to apply to work in the health field,”?he said.
So far, scholarship aid has helped pay his tuition but in August when he returns to Southwestern Florida State College, Danforth needs financial help.
“I am working in the health field nursing doing home health care and at other places, saving my money for the tuition,” he said.
When Danforth graduated last Tuesday, family members were present while he was presented with a special pin that shows his completion of the program. He was raised by his grandparents and they were there looking very proudly.
His part-time work now consists of home health care with people with dementia and Parkinson’s.
“I help a lot of people who have Parkinson’s disease in the area,” he said. “It’s a terrible disease.”
While caring for those with dementia, Danforth noted he helps people with depression and other emotional problems.
He said he is now facing his NCLEX testing, which can provide him a license as a LPN. As a LPN, he will be able to administer shots and perform other nursing duties.
By January, he should be finished with attending a seminary school, which will help in becoming a missionary nurse. That may take up to six months.
He has been attending the Seminary School at The Vine in Fort Myers. It is also the church in which he has become very active.
Being able to nurse those who are ill is seen as a plus for Danforth, who said he could be sent anywhere in the country or even overseas, once his education and certification is completed.
When he gets his degree from Southwestern State College, he will be the first in his family to graduate from college. He has an aunt who got a college degree, too.
Danforth plays the piano and is learning Portuguese, since he says he would like to go to Brazil later as a missionary registered nurse.
He is very appreciative that he was given money and other scholarships to attend Immokalee to get his LPN training. But money is tight and he is saving every cent.
He has his family’s full support but said he would be thankful for any additional help. Danforth says he works several hours day and night, all in an effort to save as much as he can to pay for college.
He said he feels very close to God and thanks him for the blessings he has received in the help given him.
“I’ve been blessed,” he said.
To contact Jo Danforth, call (863) 599-8915.
Man on a mission: Resident to become a missionary nurse
Jo Danforth
A Lehigh Acres man, who graduated from a nursing college in Immokalee as a LPN, is preparing for two more years at Florida Southwestern State College with plans to become a missionary nurse.
Jo Danforth, 21, who was raised in Alva and graduated from the LaBelle High School in 2013, was one of about 20 nursing graduates from Immokalee Technical College.
Danforth said he was interested in the field of nursing ever since he was a teenager. He plans to see his dream come true once he gets his bachelor’s degree in nursing, passes tests to become an RN and finishes classes at a local seminary.
“I want to help others and, with the training from the seminary, I could go anywhere to help,” said Danforth, who thinks more men should consider nursing as a profession.
He was a sophomore at LaBelle when he made his decision to become a nurse and attend seminary, becoming certified in both fields.
“I had always been interested in helping others and while I was in high school, a teacher encouraged me to apply to work in the health field,”?he said.
So far, scholarship aid has helped pay his tuition but in August when he returns to Southwestern Florida State College, Danforth needs financial help.
“I am working in the health field nursing doing home health care and at other places, saving my money for the tuition,” he said.
When Danforth graduated last Tuesday, family members were present while he was presented with a special pin that shows his completion of the program. He was raised by his grandparents and they were there looking very proudly.
His part-time work now consists of home health care with people with dementia and Parkinson’s.
“I help a lot of people who have Parkinson’s disease in the area,” he said. “It’s a terrible disease.”
While caring for those with dementia, Danforth noted he helps people with depression and other emotional problems.
He said he is now facing his NCLEX testing, which can provide him a license as a LPN. As a LPN, he will be able to administer shots and perform other nursing duties.
By January, he should be finished with attending a seminary school, which will help in becoming a missionary nurse. That may take up to six months.
He has been attending the Seminary School at The Vine in Fort Myers. It is also the church in which he has become very active.
Being able to nurse those who are ill is seen as a plus for Danforth, who said he could be sent anywhere in the country or even overseas, once his education and certification is completed.
When he gets his degree from Southwestern State College, he will be the first in his family to graduate from college. He has an aunt who got a college degree, too.
Danforth plays the piano and is learning Portuguese, since he says he would like to go to Brazil later as a missionary registered nurse.
He is very appreciative that he was given money and other scholarships to attend Immokalee to get his LPN training. But money is tight and he is saving every cent.
He has his family’s full support but said he would be thankful for any additional help. Danforth says he works several hours day and night, all in an effort to save as much as he can to pay for college.
He said he feels very close to God and thanks him for the blessings he has received in the help given him.
“I’ve been blessed,” he said.
To contact Jo Danforth, call (863) 599-8915.
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