Cooper will earn her Associate of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May. She earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts and sciences from Pulaski Technical College in May 2024.

Cooper followed a strategic academic path to achieve her nursing degree.

“I did 2+2. I did two years of prerequisites at Pulaski Tech and the two-year nursing program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock,” she explained. “I plan to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing by December 2026.”

Although nursing ultimately became her passion, Cooper said circumstances initially required her to think practically about her future.

“Becoming a mother at 18 motivated me to pursue a stable career, which led me to nursing,” she said. “During my journey, I developed a true passion for the field, and this experience has shaped both my career and who I am today.”

Beyond academics, Cooper managed parenting and household finances.

“Balancing school while raising a child and handling bills on my own made it even more challenging,” she said. “I spent long hours studying, and the library truly became a second home for my son and me. I am very thankful for the support I received along the way.”

She received an Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship and used resources such as the CARE Team, the Academic Challenge Scholarship, and the campus food pantry at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock.

Her coursework and clinical experiences allowed her to develop practical nursing skills that strengthened her confidence in patient care. Throughout her college experience, Cooper said family support – especially from her big sister, Shacora Cooper – played a key role. 

“She is like a second mother to me without the title, as well as a sister, friend, and my personal therapist,” she said. 

During her time in college, Cooper has built community and celebrated personal milestones. She was on the Little Rock Dance Team during her first year of college.

“I enjoyed being at the games, being loud, and cheering on the basketball players,” she said. “My son also enjoyed coming with me to the games, which made the experience even more special.”

Cooper also pushed herself physically outside the classroom.

“I ran my first 10K in February at the Little Rock Marathon,” she said. “That was a big accomplishment for me, and it showed me that I can push myself to do things I did not think I could do.”

Cooper said graduating with her associate’s degree in nursing and later earning her bachelor’s will mark a historic moment.

 “I hope I’ve created a cycle of education and financial stability that continues with my son and future generations,” she said.

After graduation, Cooper wants to spend more time with her son and involve him in activities he enjoys. She also plans to celebrate her accomplishment.

“My first plan is to take a vacation and get some rest, maybe even a week-long nap,” she said. “After that, I plan to work as a registered nurse in the operating room while also finishing my remaining bachelor’s coursework.”

Cooper said her university experience helped her prepare for professional success and personal growth.

“While going through nursing school, I was able to build meaningful connections with people and network,” she said. “I also had the opportunity to volunteer and gain valuable hands-on clinical skills. I learned how to be punctual, organized, and how to manage my time wisely.”

Cooper hopes her story encourages others to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.

“Everyone has a story or something in life that can hold them back, but I encourage people to find their purpose and stay determined,” she said. “Don’t make excuses for why you cannot do something, make reasons for why you should.”

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At 38, he was working at three different restaurants, picking up shifts wherever he could. One evening, after arriving for a shift at a catfish house in Bee Branch, Arkansas, his boss, a woman named Rosemary, pulled him aside. The 81-year-old encouraged him to consider a career in nursing.

“She told me, ‘Justin, you can’t work for me forever. I’m either going to pass away or close this place in the coming year. You need to find a permanent career. My daughter has been a nurse for 35 years, and I think you would make a great nurse,’” Hicks said.

It was simple, direct advice, and it stuck.

Not long after, Hicks took her advice and decided to pursue a career in nursing. Around the same time, his family asked if he would move in with his grandmother, also named Rosemary, and help care for her as her health declined. What began as a practical decision soon became his first real caregiving experience.

“My grandma contributed more to my nursing education than I realized at the time,” he said. “I learned patience. I learned how to stay positive. I learned how to really be present with someone.”

He spent nights sitting with her, watching television, talking, and simply being there. Those moments shaped how he would later care for patients.

When she passed away in 2022, Hicks was at work as the charge nurse on 8 East, the behavioral health unit at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. It was Super Bowl Sunday.

In the middle of that shift, his father called to tell him his grandmother was gone. As he tried to process the news, he looked up and saw a familiar face in the unit, a veteran nurse he trusted and looked to as a mentor.

In that moment, Hicks saw it as his grandmother’s way of reminding him he had made the right decision and that he was surrounded by the right people.

“The best way you can honor someone is to make something of your life, work hard, love people, and be good to others,” he said.

That perspective carried with him into his time at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock.

He chose the university not only for its nursing program, but because of what it meant to his family.

“My dad attended ����Vlog��ý Little Rock but didn’t finish his degree because he was raising a family,” Hicks said. “He’s always taken care of me and set a great example. I wanted to honor him by finishing what he started.”

Hicks enrolled in the accelerated nursing program and completed his degree in just 18 months. The pace was intense and required discipline from the start.

“It really taught me time management and how to prioritize,” he said. “I also learned how to work with people who had different personalities, work ethics, and strengths.”

Midway through his program, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted much of his education online.

“Half of my education was virtual,” he said. “It forced me to adapt and improvise, and those are things I still rely on every day.”

Today, Hicks serves as nursing manager for Adult Behavioral Health at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. He oversees a unit that can care for up to 52 patients and leads a team of around 100 employees, often operating at capacity.

His path to that role began at the bedside at St. Vincent, where he interned while still in nursing school. It was the only place he interviewed, and he didn’t feel the need to look elsewhere.

“I wanted to give back and work for them after graduation,” he said.

He began as a floor nurse in behavioral health and moved through several roles, including charge nurse and utilization review, before stepping into leadership. In March 2026, he became nursing manager.

Along the way, he credits mentors like Judy Staley, assistant professor of nursing and director of the Center for Simulation Innovation, who helped guide his growth and opened doors for him.

“They showed me how to be a professional, how to work hard, and how to truly care about people,” he said.

Staley said Hicks is a “phenomenal” mental health nurse. 

“I had the opportunity to work directly with him in mental health simulation, and he has significantly influenced my growth as both an educator and a nurse,” Staley said. “He brings an inspiring presence to his interactions with students and has a unique ability to translate complex situations into meaningful learning experiences. His passion and dedication to the profession truly exemplify what nursing is all about.”  

Behavioral health, in particular, is deeply personal for Hicks. In 2005, he lost his brother to suicide.

“It rattled my family to our core,” he said. “It’s a permanent hole that’s caused so much heartache and a lot of unanswered questions.”

That experience continues to shape how he understands the work.

“I think nearly all of us encounter some form of mental health struggle at some point in our lives, just like we all deal with physical health issues,” he said. “The severity may look different, but it affects everyone in some way.”

He also knows how difficult it can be for people to express what they’re going through.

“In many cases, people aren’t able to fully articulate what’s happening or how serious it’s become until a lot of damage has already been done,” he said.

That loss continues to guide how Hicks approaches his work.

“I think if people took an honest look at their own mental health and had meaningful conversations with the people around them, they’d start to see just how common and how serious these issues really are,” he said.

Even with the demands of his role, Hicks has stayed connected to the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing program. For several years, he returned to help with simulation training, working directly with nursing students as they prepared for real-world scenarios.

“I remember how stressful that time was,” he said. “If I can help someone feel more confident or give them something they can use later, that means a lot.”

Those moments created a bigger picture for him.

“Fundamentally, nursing at its core is about people taking time to genuinely make a difference in someone’s life,” he said.

That same sense of purpose carried into a moment he never expected. Hicks was featured in a ����Vlog��ý Little Rock commercial that aired during the Winter Olympics.

“It was a really great experience,” he said. “I was impressed with how much detail went into everything.”

For him, it was less about being on screen and more about representing the university that helped shape his path. Through it all, Hicks comes back to a few core ideas that guide how he works and lives.

“First, take care of yourself. You can’t take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself,” he said.

He also keeps things simple.

“Be kind. Keep patients safe. Be a good teammate. And find a way to make a meaningful impact.”

It’s a philosophy rooted in his time at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, in the lessons he learned from his family, and in the influence of two women named Rosemary, who saw something in him before he saw it in himself.

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Staley has been named the Director of the Center for Simulation Innovation, a position supported by the. In this role, Staley helps guide the program’s use of advanced simulation training to strengthen clinical experiences for nursing students and prepare graduates to improve the quality of care in the communities where they practice.

Staley’s new role begins at an especially significant moment, as the School of Nursing has received continued full approval for its associate degree program from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing through 2030. 

As one of the largest academic programs within the university, the School of Nursing prepares more than 1,000 students each year through a combination of classroom instruction, clinical placements and simulation-based learning. Many of the program’s graduates go on to practice across Arkansas, helping to meet the state’s growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. 

“Simulation has consistently stood out as a powerful bridge between theory and practice,” Staley said. “It offers a psychologically safe environment where students can make decisions, reflect and grow without risking harm to real patients.”

Located in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing Education, CSI is a 20-bed, 9,500-square-foot facility designed to replicate real clinical environments. The simulation program continues to grow as new technologies and tools are introduced to better prepare students, backing the belief that simulation saves lives. 

As director of simulation, Staley works to ensure simulation experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum and aligned with program learning outcomes.

“My vision for simulation centers on innovation, integration and impact,” Staley said. “By expanding immersive learning opportunities and intentionally connecting simulation to the curriculum, our team can ensure our students graduate confident, competent and ready to meet the healthcare needs of Arkansas communities and beyond.”

Learn more about the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing program at . 

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Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing, said the approval highlights the collective efforts of the program’s faculty, staff and students.

“I am extremely proud of the School of Nursing for achieving a perfect review from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing,” Davidson said. “Without the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students, this would not be possible.”

The ����Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Nursing is the largest academic program at the university, serving more than 1,000 students annually. In addition to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, the school offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an LPN/Paramedic-to-RN pathway, and an RN-to-BSN completion program designed for working registered nurses seeking to advance their education.

Students complete approximately 30,000 hours of simulation training each year in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing. The center features a 22-bed on-campus simulation hospital, the Center for Simulation Innovation (CSI), and the Innovation Station Lab — the first virtual reality simulation lab in Arkansas dedicated to nursing education. In 2023, CSI received the Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, making it the only simulation lab in Arkansas to earn the distinction.

Judy Staley, assistant professor and Walker director of simulation, said immersive training experiences are essential to preparing today’s nurses.

“Healthcare is constantly evolving, and our students need opportunities to practice clinical judgment, teamwork, and decision-making in realistic environments before they enter patient care settings,” Staley said. “Simulation allows us to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, ensuring our graduates are confident, competent, and ready to serve across Arkansas.”

In addition to state approval, the School of Nursing maintains continuing accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for both its associate and baccalaureate degree programs.

Through continued state approval, national accreditation, and a commitment to innovative, hands-on training, the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Nursing remains a leader in preparing nurses who meet the evolving healthcare needs of Arkansas and beyond.To learn more about nursing at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, visit /nursing.

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The new Innovation Station, located in the Pat Walker Center for Nursing, is designed to revolutionize how students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world patient care. Combining state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality technology with hands-on clinical training, the lab gives students access to realistic, repeatable scenarios that strengthen their clinical skills and judgment.

“Today’s nurses must be more than compassionate caregivers,” ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale said. “They must be clinically sharp, technologically proficient, and ready to adapt in fast-paced healthcare environments. The Innovation Station revolutionizes how our students learn, practice, and prepare for real-world care. This is just one of the ways ����Vlog��ý Little Rock is strengthening the future of healthcare in Arkansas.”

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ann Bain, a registered nurse and former chair of the School of Nursing, emphasized how simulation-based education is key to addressing Arkansas’s ongoing nursing shortage.

“Simulation-based education is one of the most effective ways we can prepare students for patient care,” Bain said. “Over the past four years, our students have completed more than 114,000 hours of simulation training, supported by $1.26 million in new technology and equipment. The Innovation Station is the next step forward, giving students access to realistic, repeatable clinical scenarios that sharpen judgment and build confidence.”

The dedication ceremony drew campus and community leaders as well as alumni and healthcare partners, who explored both the new Innovation Station and the internationally recognized Center for Simulation Innovation. Visitors observed demonstrations of high-fidelity manikins, Echo masks, and other advanced training tools that replicate the sights and sounds of real healthcare environments.

Students also showcased the new virtual reality technology during live demonstrations. Using Oculus headsets, they navigated AI-powered clinical scenarios involving pediatric patients, dehydration cases, postoperative care, and even rare emergency events that students might never encounter during traditional clinical rotations.

“We have the Oculus VR equipment set up for our class, and we’re able to come here and pick a scenario,” said Brendon Johnson, a junior nursing student from Cabot. “I had a patient who was dehydrated and experiencing abdominal pain. I was able to talk to him, get his vitals, and follow up with his doctor to determine the next stage of care. It gives us a way to see things that would be dangerous if they happened to real patients and to practice handling them safely.”

Students also performed CPR demonstrations on new interactive training carts that provide real-time feedback on compression depth, speed, and technique, which will help ����Vlog��ý Little Rock nursing students meet certification standards and develop life-saving skills.

For Joanna Hall, director of simulation and a three-time graduate of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s nursing program, the power of simulation lies in its ability to replicate critical moments safely and repeatedly.

“Simulation allows students to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from them,” Hall said. “We no longer rely on chance for students to encounter critical scenarios during clinical rotations. We can create those experiences on demand. The Innovation Station takes this capability to the next level, ensuring our graduates are confident, capable, and clinically prepared.”

Keya McGee, president of the Student Nurses Association, said the new lab will help students approach their careers with more confidence.

“This isn’t just about cool headsets. It’s about the future of healthcare,” McGee said. “Simulation gives us the confidence to make decisions under pressure, reflect on our choices, and apply what we learn to real patients. This lab elevates not only the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Nursing, but also healthcare for the millions of Arkansans we will serve.”

����Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus Jussus Sanchez, a 2014 graduate and certified registered nurse anesthetist at ����Vlog��ýMS, said the new lab represents a major leap forward in training.

“My time as a student was stressful but rewarding, and I came out well prepared,” Sanchez said. “Now, with augmented reality, you’re more one-on-one with your clinicals. It results in a more focused approach. It will help nurses build confidence, learn how to approach patients, and experience things that a manikin alone can’t represent.”

As the open house concluded, Provost Bain invited guests to tour the facilities and see firsthand how the Innovation Station and are reshaping nursing education across Arkansas.

Bain said the dedication of the Innovation Station is more than an investment in technology; it’s an investment in the health of Arkansas.

“It ensures our students are ready to deliver excellent care, whether in hospitals, clinics, or rural health centers,” Bain said. “Most importantly, it’s a step forward in addressing the critical nursing shortage facing our state.”

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