Randi Trumble had been working as a therapist for six years at Community Mental Health when she was presented with a huge decision. An opportunity from her grandmother, and a break in work from having two children. She accepted, and decided to begin her education in the nursing field.
Trumble’s grandmother always knew she had an interest in becoming a nurse.
It would be a massive change in her life, but her grandmother wanted to help her in a substantial way, offering to pay for her education in her career change.
“She was a really generous person,” Trumble said. “I just felt so thankful and thought that it was an opportunity that I was never going to have again. So I really wanted to take it, because if I’m going to do it, it’s gotta be right now.”
Because Trumble had already had a masters degree in social work from MSU, she had access to an accelerated course that would only be 15 months instead of the usual two to four year course. She started the program in 2013 and finished in 2015.
“I ended up loving nursing school,” Trumble said. “It was super time-consuming and challenging, but it was so rewarding and fun.”
After she earned her degree, Trumble worked in acute hospital care and part time home care. In 2016 she began her career in the Lansing district as a nurse. She worked in the position for a year before gaining a new overseeing position in 2023 working in six different schools and two different programs.
Constant moving wasn’t a problem for Trumble as she enjoyed the change of scenery that came from working in multiple locations. It almost seemed as if time went by quicker as she divided her day between each school.
“I prefer to move around and have a couple buildings that I’m responsible for, rather than just one because it gives me the opportunity to build more relationships through the district,” Trumble said. ‘It keeps things interesting from a nursing perspective, because I’m not just doing one thing all day, or seeing the same population of kids all day, it’s all different.”
At Lansing schools, Trumble met her work best friend Susan Lynn, who urged her to apply to the ELPS district nurse position. Lynn had found the position open and considered applying, but decided against it and urged Trumble to apply instead.
“Once she decided that she wasn’t going to go for it, she said ‘you have to apply for it, you’ll be so perfect. At least try for an interview, to see where it goes,’” Trumble said. “I said, ‘okay, you’re right’ and ever since then, she’s been completely supportive.”
Since she became a nurse, Trumble has had opportunities to go back to her Therapist position, but she always declines. Nursing is her true calling.
“I’ve had a few opportunities to take on social work positions, and I’ve just been like, ‘No. I think I’m gonna stick with nursing still,’” Trumble said. “It was a really good move for me.”
Moving forward, Trumble is looking forward to working with students with chronic health conditions like diabetes and asthma. She wants to make these students feel seen, and help them manage their condition to ensure they feel more comfortable while at school.
“I’m looking forward to building relationships with staff and students,” Trumble said. “I want to educate the school community on health so that we can be better about helping students that have health conditions be successful at school.”
