One of Our Own: How Donna Buduson, RN Turned Hardship Into Achievement 

There are stories of perseverance, and then there are stories that redefine what perseverance truly means. Donna Buduson’s journey to earning her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at Bryant & Stratton College in Rochester is a testament to what happens when purpose, grit, and an unshakable sense of self collide, even in the face of life’s most difficult trials. 

Donna came to B&SC with nearly two decades of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She had already spent years developing an expertise that only time and dedication can build, but she knew she had more to give. She chose Bryant & Stratton College for our supportive environment, structure, and commitment to nontraditional students navigating real life alongside academics. 

Balancing the Weight of It All 

What makes Donna’s story extraordinary isn’t just that she returned to school as a working nurse; it’s that she did it while battling cancer. While most people struggle to balance work and school alone, Donna was also managing treatment, side effects, and the emotional toll a health crisis brings. Yet she showed up. She studied. She persisted. 

When asked how she managed it all, Donna credited structure, self-compassion, and the lessons nursing itself had already taught her. “Nursing taught me discipline; life taught me resilience.” She learned to prioritize, to ask for help, and to give herself grace on the hard days. She showed up the best she could, even when “the best” looked different from one day to the next. 

A Community That Held Her Up 

No one walks a journey like this alone, and Donna is quick to acknowledge the people around her. Faculty who understood the realities of working nurses offered flexibility and reassurance when things felt overwhelming. Classmates became something deeper, a much-needed support system she referred to as a “second family”. They studied together, checked in during hard weeks, and celebrated every small victory as though it were a shared triumph. 

That kind of community doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built by people who choose to show up for each other with compassion, accountability, and genuine care which are values that mirror the very heart of nursing. For Donna, the bonds she formed at B&SC weren’t just a support system; they were proof that the right environment can make the seemingly impossible feel achievable. 

When Giving Up Felt Like an Option 

Donna doesn’t shy away from the honest moments of her journey. There were times when giving up crossed her mind, particularly during treatment and periods of profound exhaustion. But in those darkest moments, she returned to her “why.” Her patients. Her family. The version of herself she was fighting to become. “I refused to let cancer or fear write the ending to my story,” she said with certainty. That refusal and conscious, daily decision to keep going, is the most powerful lesson Donna offers.  

The Patient Who Became Her Own Advocate 

One of the most compelling aspects of Donna’s story is the way her nursing education and her personal health journey intersected. Being a nursing student as she faced illness made her a more informed, assertive patient, one who understood the science of her own care while still honoring its emotional weight. “It reinforced the importance of patient advocacy, holistic care, and compassion.” In a full-circle way, the very principles she was studying helped her survive the journey of studying them. 

What Earning Her RN Really Means 

Graduating with her nursing degree was more than a professional milestone for Donna, it was a personal revelation. Professionally, it opened new doors, expanded her scope of practice, and validated nearly twenty years of lived experience. But personally, it proved something even more insightful. “It proved to me that I am stronger than my circumstances and capable of achieving goals even in the darkest seasons of life.” Those words carry a weight that every alum who has faced adversity will recognize and feel deeply. 

A Message for Anyone Who Is Struggling 

When asked for a piece of wisdom to share with others facing their own obstacles, Donna offered something both simple and profound: “You don’t have to be fearless- just brave enough to take the next step.” 

That message resonates far beyond nursing school. It speaks to anyone navigating illness, career change, family demands, or the weight of chasing a dream that sometimes feels too far away. Progress doesn’t require perfection; it only requires persistence. 

Grateful for the Struggle 

Perhaps the most surprising and most moving part of Donna’s reflection is her gratitude for the hardship itself. “Looking back, I’m grateful for the struggle,” she said. The difficulty refined her, strengthened her faith in herself, and reminded her of how powerful perseverance truly is. She wouldn’t wish the journey on anyone, but she is deeply thankful for who it helped her become. 

That kind of wisdom is a gift to the students still in the middle of their journey, to the alumni who remember their own uphill climbs, and to anyone who needs a reminder that the struggle is not the end of the story. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story of inspiration, motivation, and perseverance with us! If you’re ready to start your own nursing journey, learn more about the nursing program at our Rochester campus in Greece, NY.