With a deep-rooted connection to the Aims Community College nursing program, the Lozano family stands out as a remarkable testament to their unwavering dedication to healthcare in Northern Colorado.
Aims Community College is a Lozano Family Tradition
July 31, 2024
Lozano family pictured left to right: Sal, Chelsie, April and Chris.
Sal and April Lozano have been married for more than 20 years. They have two adult children: a son, Chris and a daughter, Chelsie. All four family members are alumni and started their healthcare careers at Aims.
April was the first member of the family to graduate with a Nursing Associate Degree. She was part of one of the first cohorts and completed the program in 2005. When she started at Aims, April was undecided on what she wanted to do. “They didn't even have a nursing program at that time,” she said. “Then, two years into it, the program opened up. I applied for it and was accepted to the first nursing program at Aims.”
April has spent her career in long-term care. She is one of the directors of wound care at Fairacres Manor in Greeley. “I manage wound care. That's my specialty. I also do admissions and a few other things, but wound care is my passion.”
She has been working at Fairacres for nearly 20 years. “They sent me to school for my wound care certifications and I stayed,” April said. “It's a really good facility. It's privately owned. They've been good to me.”
Sal eventually followed in his wife’s footsteps. April suggested he could “try out nursing” because he is compassionate and likes working with people. She guided him to get started with a CNA license, which got the ball rolling.
“I hit a point where I wanted to return to school, but it never felt like it was the right time.” He was working in real estate, but Sal had always aspired to work in the medical profession due to his experience with a disease he contracted in childhood. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare illness where your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your nerves, leading to muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Luckily, most people can recover from it, even though it can initially be quite severe. “It left me in a wheelchair for a while,” Sal said.
“I remember the care I got from the nurses that made such a huge impact in my life. I got phenomenal care and wanted to do something to give back”.
Sal completed his nursing degree at the University of Northern Colorado at the bachelor's and master's levels. He now works at UC Health in a critical care unit. Currently, Sal is also a part-time instructor in the Aims nursing program.
He says this career change has been a net positive for the family and provides them with the income and benefits to support the family. April agrees and believes the career was flexible enough as the kids were younger. “I work 12-hour shifts, so I was able to be off with the kids during the day, which was important to us,” April said.
Since both parents had successful healthcare careers, both children took a similar path. Chelsie obtained her CNA license when she was 17 and Chris did the same when he was 18. “Mom and dad definitely inspired and motivated us,” Chelsie said.
Getting her CNA credentials and experience working at Fairacres, the same long-term facility where her mom worked, inspired Chelsie to progress and pursue nursing education at Aims. She completed her degree in May 2024. Before graduation, Chelsie already had a job lined up. She is employed at the UCHealth Greeley Hospital in the ICU. “I'm looking forward to learning and growing in my nursing career,” she said.
Chris is the last member of the immediate family to get a nursing degree at Aims. He is a current student and will complete the program in 2025. While in school, Chris is working as a CNA. He is married to another CNA and is a father of two young children. It takes a lot to juggle this busy lifestyle, but he successfully takes all these challenges head-on. “Every day brings its own set of trials and triumphs,” Chris said, but I am continually reminded of the strength and resilience within me. Balancing these responsibilities has taught me the importance of time management, perseverance, and self-care.”
Aims Director of Nursing Education Programs, Katrina Einhellig, has had all family members in her classes. She said it had been her privilege to teach Sal, April, Chelsie and Chris Lozano.
“This family truly epitomizes the idea of what being a nurse is; they are caring, compassionate, intuitive and intelligent,” she said. It is amazing to have one family with so many nurses, but they are also outstanding individuals. I have truly been blessed to be a part of their academic journey; they hold a special place in my heart.”
Support from the Family and Aims
The Lozano family has benefited from the support they receive from their other family members, but they also attribute their success to Aims.
The family provides each other with emotional support and can fully appreciate what the others are going through. All the family members worked as CNAs or nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging times to work in healthcare in recent memory. “I could come back and talk and we could relate with one another,” Sal said. “No one could understand other than nurses or medical staff. Others could talk to their partners and they'd listen, but they felt like they didn't quite understand.”
Chris also appreciates his family in the midst of his Aims journey. “I owe immense gratitude to my parents for their inspiration and encouragement and to my wife for her unwavering support throughout the program.” While it’s not always easy, seeing the smiles on my children’s faces, progressing in my studies, and achieving my professional goals make every effort worthwhile.”
In addition to the reassuring guidance the family provides to one another, they received assistance in building nursing careers through the help of Aims faculty and staff.
Chelsie appreciates Aims for many reasons. “You're not just a number with Aims. They have smaller class sizes, which I appreciate. They look out for you, take care of you and help support you throughout your journey.” She also feels like the nursing faculty supports students throughout their academic journey. She attributes this to the high success rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a nationwide test for the licensing of nurses. May 2023 Aims Nursing graduates received a 97% pass rate on the NCLEX and 88% completion rate. Chelsie uses her experience and advice to help her brother. “He asks me questions here and there, and I'll give him some tips and tricks and try to support him.”
Chris has also received support from the Aims faculty. “I’m deeply grateful to all my nursing professors for their unwavering support and guidance, which have been instrumental in helping me navigate this journey.”
Sal believes that Aims set the groundwork for his success. “The study habits, the work ethic, the motivation,” he said. “The professors reminded me of my resources and how to utilize those as well.”
Sal also enjoys being on the other side of the equation at Aims, helping students complete the nursing program as a faculty member. “It's been an amazing experience to see some of those nursing students right where I was in their shoes not too long ago. I now see how Aims continues that same environment of fostering that growth mindset for students and those who encourage them,” he said.
“I feel very fortunate to be a part of Aims,” Sal said. “To see what Aims means to the community and what it's done personally to our family is. It's pretty awesome.”