Friendships leading to lifelong relationships often develop while students pursue college degrees. But for two nursing students, that bond is even greater.

Mom and daughter duo Laura Pape-Skierski, 61, and Hannah Pape, 24, were both recently admitted to the Macomb to University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) program, on the campus of Macomb Community College. After earning their associate degree in nursing from Macomb years apart, they are now both pursuing their bachelor’s degree in nursing from UDM at Center Campus in Clinton Township.  

Laura’s journey from associate degree in nursing to RN began later in life  

Laura earned her associate degree in nursing from Macomb in 2013. She is currently working as a labor and delivery nurse at McLaren Macomb Hospital where she jokingly tells people she’s a “old new nurse.”

As a mom of five (with one grandchild on the way), Laura said she was always interested in the medical field, but life got in the way. Once her children were older, she knew she wanted to get a job in nursing and decided to pursue her associate degree at Macomb because it was affordable and convenient for her busy schedule.  

“Some of my children are out on their own now and those at home are adults. So, I’m not having to really take care of them anymore. It isn’t as hard now as it was when I was getting my associate degree in nursing (ADN). I read and studied for many tests while watching baseball practice or color guard rehearsals,” she said.

 She is excited now to further her education through Macomb’s partnership with UDM and is especially thrilled to be taking that journey with Hannah, who recently graduated from Macomb with her associate degree in nursing.

Hannah’s journey progresses from Macomb’s classrooms to McLaren’s ER

Hannah works in the Emergency Department at McLaren Macomb, where she held other positions as a patient safety technician and an Emergency Room technician. She became a nurse in May of 2023.

Hannah enjoys working in Emergency because she wants to help the most vulnerable and comfort those in need. Hannah said she was influenced by her mom in her decision to become a nurse.

“I was absolutely influenced by her (mom).  I still remember her dedication and ambition when she was in nursing school. She managed to graduate while working and raising her five children,” Hannah said. “I figured if she could succeed while doing all of that, I could too. I’ve had the opportunity to see her transform into an amazing nurse. She is truly an amazing nurse, person and mom, and I am very privileged to be her daughter.”

Along with continuing to pursue her RN at UDM Hannah’s plan is to stay in emergency medicine as long as she can. “She is thriving at it. She loves the ER and is an amazing nurse,” Laura said.

If you’re interested in the opportunities that are possible through Macomb’s partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy Nursing program at Center Campus in Clinton Township, please visit our nursing program webpage.