A career in care: CNA to LPN to RN

Date: 07/09/2026

Fourteen years. Thousands of miles driven. A full-time job, kids to raise, and hours and hours of studying. Amy Cookson, RN, was able to balance it all, and now, her journey to becoming a registered nurse is complete.

Amy began her clinical career 14 years ago at Northern Light CA Dean Hospital by completing a CNA course and working in the inpatient units. Then, she became a licensed practical nurse. In 2024, she decided to take the final steps toward fulfilling her goal of becoming a registered nurse and enrolled in the nursing program at the Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston.

“The nurses that I worked with were fantastic, and they told me I should get my degree,” she says. “So, I took that to heart and started on my nursing prerequisites in 2014 while raising two kids and having a full-time job. Getting my RN degree has always been the goal, but you know, it took some time. Life happens and that’s how it goes.”

Amy passed her NCLEX-RN national licensure exam in June of 2026, and she is now caring for patients on the CA Dean Hospital Med/Surg, Allen Wing, and Emergency Department units as a registered nurse.  

“My favorite part of being a nurse is the patients,” says Amy. “I like to do patient care, and I like to know what's going on. I like to talk to them and ask them questions and find out about their lives. Those are the best parts of my job.”

Amy has been supported along the way by Northern Light Health and Northern Light CA Dean Hospital. While completing her RN degree she received full-time pay and benefits while working a reduced schedule through the RN Sponsorship Program. The program allowed her to maintain her income while leaving time to study.

“The program helped me immensely,” she adds. “To be able to work and have a paycheck was important. If someone is considering it, I would tell them to go for it. A lot of people don't want to do it because they think they're too old. I’m almost 50, and I just graduated. You’re always learning. Don’t let anything hold you back.”

Amy remains busy even after completing her degree and becoming licensed, but she is finding time to enjoy summer with family.

“I don't have the homework and stuff, so that's really nice,” she says. “And not having to drive to Lewiston has been fabulous. I have a four-year-old grandson, and he gets a lot of my time on my days off. We spend a lot of time just hanging out and going to the beach. We’re having fun.”

Please click here to learn more about career development programs and sponsorships at Northern Light Health.