What sets Richard Almager apart is his deeply personal motivation, which put him on a path to nursing. The death of his brother was a tragedy that could have broken most people, but for Almager, it became the catalyst for a profound transformation.
“I felt like I needed something where I was helping people and doing something rewarding,” he says.
Soon-to-be BS in Nursing graduate Richard Almager and his family. |
Almager recognized that his true calling lay not in the corporate world but in the bond between caregiver and patient. By becoming an EMT first, he gained hands-on experience that revealed his true passion - forming genuine connections with those in need.
“I like having interactions with people, so it was a natural step for me to become a nurse,” he says.
Modeling Resilience for the Next Generation
Almager’s story is about more than just his own personal journey. It’s about the power of leading by example. As a stay-at-home dad returning to school, he has taken on the formidable task of balancing the demanding nursing coursework of the University of Colorado College of Nursing's Accelerated BS in Nursing (UCAN) program with the equally important role of being a present and involved father.
“As a stay-at-home dad, I did the laundry, the cooking, and the cleaning. My kids have seen me do all of that – and when my kids hear I’m going to be a nurse, they think it’s so cool,” he says.
When his children go to class, he goes to class. When they work on homework, he studies and works on assignments.
“They have papers and homework due, and so do I,” he says. “I tell them, let’s all do it together. Let’s get it done and then we can go have fun as a family.”
This simple yet powerful approach has helped solidify core family values of discipline, determination, and family unity.
Finding Strength in Adversity
Almager acknowledges the intensity of the UCAN program and says some days it was hard to make time to spend time with his wife and kids. Yet he persevered, refusing to let the challenges of the moment overshadow the greater purpose that drives him.
“It’s only a 12-month program, and you can do anything in 12 months,” he says. “I’m showing my kids this is what it takes to go back to school and succeed. I’m setting an example to show what it takes to succeed because I knew I had this purpose to become a nurse.”
Compassion as a Guiding Light
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Almager’s story is the way his own experiences have shaped his approach to patient care. Having witnessed the profound impact that attentive, empathetic medical professionals can have on a family in crisis, he is determined to be that beacon of hope for others.
“I want a family to recognize that the care I’m giving is focused on their family member and I’m doing everything I can to make them better,” he says. “I want families to feel like they’re receiving the care my family and my brother received.”
This level of compassion is rare in an often-harried world. By drawing on his own personal tragedy, Almager is poised to become the kind of nurse who not only tends to the physical needs of his patients but who also provides the emotional support that can make a difference in their recovery.
