Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Maria’s Journey of Perseverance
Sioux Center (October 2026) - As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Maria Salas Gomez’s story is a reminder of the many experiences, cultures and personal journeys that strengthen our healthcare teams. Her dedication to nursing, commitment to learning and compassion for her patients are reflected in the care she provides every day.
For Maria, nursing has always been about more than a career. It has been a journey of perseverance, growth and service — one shaped by the experience of raising a family, pursuing her education, building a career in healthcare and navigating the process of becoming a U.S. permanent resident.
Over the past 10 years, Maria has continued to challenge herself professionally while balancing the demands of family and school. She has obtained her RN, Bachelor of Nursing (BSN), Certified Healthcare Interpreter credentials (CHI), is a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), and is a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). Her journey has not always been easy, but each challenge has helped shape the nurse and healthcare professional she is today.
“I am most proud of how much I have accomplished despite the challenges I faced along the way,” Maria said. “I am proud of becoming a nurse, continuing to grow in my career, raising my family, becoming a U.S. resident and working toward becoming a U.S. citizen.”
Finding Strength Through Nursing
Maria’s journey to becoming a nurse was not a straight path. She earned a diploma in clerical accounting and initially pursued accounting because she knew nursing school would demand much of her time, and as a mother of young children, she wasn’t sure how she would balance the demands of nursing school with caring for her family. She began working as a clerical accountant, believing that perhaps this was the path meant for her, but God had other plans. Maria applied for the True Potential Scholarship, never imagining that she would be the one chosen. Becoming one of the first DACA recipients to receive the scholarship gave her the encouragement and opportunity she needed to finally pursue the dream she had carried since she was a little girl: becoming a nurse.
Maria began her nursing career as a staff nurse, working directly with patients and developing the skills and confidence that would become the foundation of her career. As she gained experience, she embraced opportunities to expand her role and take on new responsibilities.
She progressed from staff nurse to resource nurse, then to discharge coordinator. Today, she serves as a Med Surg nurse scheduler.
“Each position has taught me something different and has helped me grow both professionally and personally,” she said. “I have learned how important communication, teamwork, organization and leadership are in nursing.”
Maria’s commitment to learning has remained a constant throughout her career. She continues to challenge herself to learn new skills and take on new opportunities, building on the hands-on patient care experience that first drew her to nursing.
“I started my nursing career focused mainly on caring for my patients, and today I have a broader understanding of nursing, leadership, teamwork and the many ways I can make a difference in healthcare,” she said.
Perseverance Through Every Challenge
Behind Maria’s professional accomplishments are years of hard work and sacrifice.
While raising her family, attending nursing school and working, Maria was also working through the legal process to establish permanent residency in the United States. The competing demands sometimes left her exhausted and overwhelmed.
There was even a moment when she called her school advisor intending to withdraw from her nursing courses. Instead, her advisor encouraged her to keep going.
Maria continued her education and kept moving forward toward the goals she had established for herself and her family.
“Balancing my responsibilities as a mother, a student and an immigrant required a lot of sacrifice, determination and perseverance,” she said. “I had to learn how to manage my time, stay focused and keep going even when things were difficult.”
When Maria received confirmation that she had officially become a U.S. permanent resident, she remembers feeling incredibly happy.
“That moment meant so much to me because it brought me one step closer to becoming a U.S. citizen,” she said. “It represented hope, stability and the opportunity to continue building a better future for myself and my family.”
For Maria, reaching that milestone was a reminder of how far she had come.
Seeing the Person Behind the Patient
Maria’s experiences have also influenced the way she cares for patients.
“I know that everyone has their own story and challenges that may not always be visible,” Maria said. “Because of this, I see my patients as people first, not just a diagnosis or a room number. I try to meet each patient where they are and provide the same compassion and respect that I would want for myself or my family,” she said.
A Journey Still Moving Forward
Looking back over the past decade, Maria sees a collection of milestones — becoming a nurse, advancing through different roles in healthcare, raising her family and completing the process to become a U.S. permanent resident.
But she also sees something more important: an example for her children.
“I am especially proud that my children were able to see me work hard, overcome challenges and pursue my dreams,” she said. “I want my children to understand that no matter where you begin, you can work toward your goals and create a better future for yourself and your family,” Maria said.