Turning Pain into Purpose: How MA Student Found Her Calling at UEI Dallas
For years, Nija Nelson worked in the medical field, gaining experience as a donor advocate at a plasma center in Dallas. But when anxiety and depression disrupted her career momentum, she found herself struggling to stay grounded.
“I ended up losing my job,” Nija said. “That was my wake-up call. I know I had to get the help I needed and rebuild.”
She recalled that every day on her lunch breaks at the plasma center, she would see the United Education Institute (UEI) sign at its Dallas campus across the street — sort of like beacon waiting for her to answer the call. So, after treatment helped her reclaim her strength, Nija decided to check out UEI.
Soon, she was registered as a Medical Assistant student at the campus, and she hasn’t looked back.
“Someone from UEI called me after I submitted my information online,” she said. “The process moved so quickly, it felt like the right place at the right time. Everything aligns.
Finding Support and Belonging
For Nija, choosing UEI wasn’t just about education. It was about finding a community that believed in her potential before she fully believed in herself.
“What stood out to me was how much everyone at UEI cared,” she said. “It felt different. I genuinely felt welcomed, like I belonged.”
She dove in without hesitation, spending hours completing paperwork, paying her tuition, and meeting the staff all in one day. That eagerness has carried her ever since.
Now several months into the Medical Assistant (MA) program, Nija says her favorite part has been the relationships she’s built with classmates and instructors.
“We all help each other succeed,” she said. “If it wasn’t for my peers, I wouldn’t be able to practice my injections and skills. I enjoy the teamwork and the way we lift each other up.”
Her instructors have made a lasting impact as well. She credits her two instructors with helping her build confidence in patient communication and clinical basics, including Jessica Blades with deepening her knowledge of clinical and administrative skills.
“Both have played such important roles,” Nija said. “They make sure I’m prepared for real-world situations.”
“Nija has shown so much courage in turning her challenges into motivation,” Jessica said. “She comes to class eager to learn, supports her peers, and has a natural compassion that will make her an excellent caregiver. Watching her grow in confidence and embrace her calling in healthcare has been truly inspiring, and I know she will make a meaningful impact on every patient she serves.”
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A Calling to Healthcare
Although she once dreamed of being an architectural engineer, life had other plans. After moving to Texas from Chicago, Nija’s career path shifted toward healthcare through home care roles, residential support work, and later, the plasma center.
“At first, I never saw myself in the medical field,” she admitted. “But my mom introduced me to it, and over time, I realized I already had qualities like compassion and empathy. Why not pursue them further?”
Now, she feels called to a career where she can make a difference in people’s lives. Her interests range from cardiology — because of her own heart health challenges and family history — to urgent care and emergency medicine.
“I love the fast-paced environment of emergency services,” Nija said. “I could see myself eventually pursuing an EMS license, too.”
Until then, she’s proud to serve as a Medical Assistant, a job she wants future students to know is much more than vitals or appointments.
“As an MA, you’re the bridge between patients and providers,” she said. “You’re often the first face they see, and you can make their day better with just a smile.”
Rewriting Her Own Story
Today, Nija sees herself not just as a student, but as someone rewriting her story, one day at a time. She’s doing this for herself, she said, but she’s also doing it for her son.
“My 5-year-old son, Legacy, inspires me every day through the power of his name and reminds me to pass on the values and foundation it represents: strength and resilience,” she said.
It’s that strength, along with the supportive community she’s found at UEI, that keeps her moving forward with pride and purpose.
“For the first time, I feel motivated and proud of myself,” Nija said. “I don’t just want a job anymore. I want a career that truly makes a difference. UEI has helped me believe that I belong in health care and that my story is far from over.”
