For Geet Singh, nursing wasn’t always part of the plan. Growing up in a family full of healthcare professionals — her mom, aunts and uncles all work in nursing — she was familiar with the field but initially hesitant to follow the same path. That changed as she learned more about what nursing truly involves. The more she looked into it, the more she saw it as a profession built on empathy, resilience and purpose. “Once I realized there’s so much more to nursing than what I’d seen, it made me want to go for it,” she said.
That curiosity soon turned into action. During her sophomore year at Fountain Valley High School a friend’s mother shared a flyer for a nursing information night hosted by Golden West College. Singh attended with her mom, and it was there that she first learned about the Nursing Dual Enrollment Program at Westminster High School — a unique opportunity for high school students to begin college-level coursework in nursing while still earning their diploma.
Transferring high schools was no small decision. Singh didn’t know anyone at Westminster, and the idea of leaving her comfort zone was intimidating. But after researching the program and speaking with family, she realized what an incredible opportunity it was. Community college courses that aligned directly with her intended major — offered at no cost — were hard to pass up. “I had to put aside that temporary sadness and see my future,” she explained. The value of getting a head start on her career while also saving on tuition made the transition worth it.
Once enrolled, Singh found that balancing college and high school coursework, along with a part-time job, required serious discipline. She often used every free moment during the day — between classes, during study periods, even quick breaks — to stay ahead on assignments. The difference in expectations between high school and college quickly became clear. “College classes definitely teach you more independence. In high school, they hold your hand a lot, but with college, it’s on you to check your emails and reach out if you need help.” While challenging at times, Singh embraced the structure. It pushed her to stay organized, focused and self-driven — skills she knows she’ll need as she continues in the nursing field.
Despite the intense workload, there were moments that reassured her she’d made the right choice. One such moment came when she checked her academic records and saw that most of her nursing prerequisites were already completed. For Singh, it was a turning point. “I wasn’t doing this for nothing — it was adding up and really helping,” she said. That sense of progress gave her motivation, especially when comparing it to her previous plan of waiting until after high school to begin nursing classes.
While the academic growth has been important, the sense of community Singh found through the program has also been deeply impactful. The dual enrollment cohorts (groups of students who meet twice a week at Westminster) helped her form friendships with peers navigating the same academic challenges. Having classmates who understood her schedule and goals made the experience feel less isolating. She also credits her support system, including Assistant Principal Wendy Harrigan at Westminster High School and Professor Barbara Miyadi at Golden West, for guiding her through the process. “All the teachers from Golden West were really supportive. They loved the idea of this program and tried their best,” Singh said. “Seeing that effort and enthusiasm from a teacher was so refreshing and helped push me more.”
As she continued in the program, Singh’s goals began to take shape. With a growing passion for nursing and a deeper understanding of the path ahead, she plans to remain at Golden West to complete her BSN through its partnership with Cal State San Bernardino. Looking further ahead, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner, potentially specializing in psychiatry or dermatology at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach or Kaiser Permanente.
Singh feels grateful not just for the academic head start, but for the clarity and confidence the program gave her. “This gave me a better taste of what to expect in college than any YouTube video or article could,” she said. “I feel more fulfilled than I ever thought I could. It really boosted my confidence that I made the right decision.”
She knows the decision to join the nursing dual enrollment program can feel overwhelming at first, but she encourages other students not to let fear stand in the way. “A lot of people think it’s really hard, but if you go into it without distractions and with an open mind, it makes a big difference,” she said. “If you’re even a little interested, just go for it. Enjoy every part of it, really learn and try to understand everything you can.”
