When the University of Guyana hosts its 59th Convocation in November, Nickesha Ross-Long will proudly cross the graduation stage to receive her Bachelor of Science in Psychology—a moment that captures years of resilience, sacrifice, and unshakable faith.
Born and raised in Chesney, Corentyne, Berbice, Nickesha has spent more than 13 years caring for others as a Registered Nursing Assistant. For her, nursing is not just a profession—it’s “a ministry of compassion.” Deeply committed to advocating for patients facing emotional struggles, including those battling depression or recovering from suicide attempts, she was inspired to deepen her understanding of mental health through further study. That decision led her to the University of Guyana, where she pursued Psychology, even while advancing her training at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, where she is now completing her Registered Nursing (RN) programme.
Her journey back to academia was anything but smooth. Married at 21 and now in her 30s, Nickesha had to master the art of balancing work, school, and motherhood. “It was hard at first. My grades weren’t where I wanted them to be. I doubted myself,” she recalled. But encouragement from her sister, Mrs. Natoya Ross-De Santos, a lecturer at UG, became her anchor. “She kept telling me, ‘You are smart, you can do this,’” Nickesha shared with a smile. “Some days I thought she was too hard on me, but now I see that it was exactly what I needed.”
Initially completing a Diploma in Psychology, Nickesha was urged by her lecturer, Ms. Kendall, to continue toward a degree. Around that same time, she was also finally accepted into the Registered Nursing programme she had long been waiting for. “Both opportunities came at the same time. I decided I wasn’t giving up either of them. So I did both,” she said determinedly.
Her schedule was grueling—RN practicals on Thursdays, university classes during the week, and long study sessions on weekends. In the midst of it all, she completed a six-month GED programme through Amity University, all while juggling family life and night shifts at work. “I was only able to do this because of God. There were times I wanted to quit, but God kept me going,” she said.
Throughout the journey, her husband, Kurt, was her steadfast supporter, even while stationed overseas for work. “He provided the finances for my travel from Corentyne to Turkeyen. When he realised how often I had to travel, he bought a car to make it easier for me to attend classes in Georgetown and return home safely. And whenever I said I felt like quitting, he told me ‘no’, reminding me that I could finish.”
Their children, Kiara (16) and Keifer (12), also became part of her motivation. “They demanded good grades from me, because I demand good grades from them,” she said with a laugh. Kiara would make sure her mother had dinner ready after long days, while Keifer kept her company over the phone on late-night drives. There were sacrifices, too—like missing study time with her son during his exams—but she ensured he received extra tutoring, and now proudly helps Kiara prepare for CXC. Her mother, Ann, was another constant pillar of love and support.
At work, her supervisor adjusted her schedule to night shifts so she could attend classes during the day. “I was working nights, going to classes in the day, and barely sleeping,” she recalled. Yet, through prayer, persistence, and the encouragement of her classmates, she pressed on.
As she prepares to celebrate 17 years of marriage and this major academic milestone, Nickesha’s heart is filled with gratitude. “I thank God for everything—for my family, for those who encouraged me, and for giving me strength when I felt weak. It wasn’t easy, but with faith and support, all things are possible.”
Her journey is one of faith, discipline, and divine grace—proof that determination and love can carry anyone through even the most demanding seasons of life. When Nickesha Ross-Long steps onto that stage in November, she won’t just be accepting a degree—she’ll be celebrating a dream fulfilled, powered by faith, family, and an unrelenting belief that perseverance always pays off.
(Extracted and edited from Feature by the Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana)
