Renee O’Daniel traded in her hard hat and steel-toed shoes for her dream job as a nurse.

O’Daniel had always dreamed of being a nurse, but as a single mom with two small children, she was resigned to her job in the local steel mill. The work was hard, but the pay was pretty good.

Then a friend told her about Baylor’s tuition reimbursement program and encouraged her to seek employment at nearby Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie.

O’Daniel followed her friend’s advice. With Baylor’s assistance, she went to school at night at the local community college and worked days and weekends at Baylor Waxahachie, which enabled her to keep up her benefits.

The hours were long, but the payoff was substantial.

She received her associate degree in nursing in 1994 and was immediately offered a full-time position in day surgery. She took on jobs of increasing responsibility and in 2004 became manager of the medical telemetry and surgery telemetry units.

But O’Daniel still yearned to complete her education. She went back to school to complete prerequisites for an undergraduate degree in nursing and was accepted into the Texas Woman’s University Bridge Program in January. Meanwhile, she recently accepted a position as unit coordinator in Baylor Waxahachie’s bariatric program, a position she’s well suited for, since she knows first hand what her patients are going through. She had bariatric surgery several years ago due to health issues. Since then, she’s successfully lost nearly 100 pounds and says the type II diabetes she was struggling with is now totally controlled without medication, as is her asthma.

And she’s looking forward to the opportunity to advance her education.

“Once again, Baylor is paying for my education so I can get my bachelor of science in nursing,” she says. “Baylor has been a lifeline for me. I’ve financed cars through the Baylor credit union and now I’m putting two children through college with their financial assistance. I’ve had so many opportunities, thanks to Baylor.”

O’Daniel’s family never talked about the possibility of going to college. So she wants to make sure that youngsters in her community know the importance of school and the rewards of the health care profession can be. She’s actively involved in a community outreach program, visiting area schools to talk about her experiences and encouraging children to have big dreams.

She also tries to be a mentor and role model to others who are just starting out in health care.

“When I find someone who is interested in growing and staying with Baylor, I will hire them and try to give them the same opportunities I had,” she says. “My experiences have always led me to believe that Baylor has a place for me. I couldn’t have done all the things I have been able to do without Baylor. I want others to have the same opportunities to succeed."