When many of her peers are settling into retirement routines, a 62-year-old Davenport University Midland campus nursing student is attending lectures, doing lab work and working on group projects with classmates young enough to be her grandchildren. And she loves it.

Growing up, Margie Dziurka knew she always wanted to help people, be it as a nurse or a lawyer. Her path took a few detours however, and family came first. 

Dziurka graduated high school in 1981 and postponed college to care for her family as they underwent various health issues. This included her husband’s parents when her father-in-law experienced a stroke, followed by her mother-in-law who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. During this time, her son was born prematurely. He, too, required one-on-one care and later in life underwent six orthopedic surgeries in five months, including a full month in the hospital for bilateral leg reconstruction. Dziurka also cared for her own mother for three years after a brain bleed.

Throughout the years, she never forgot about her desire for education while she continued to care for people. She worked as a certified nursing assistant, a position that gave her the flexibility she needed, plus experience in the medical field.

“Each time I’d think of enrolling in school, life would happen,” Dziurka said. “My mom and I were very close. When she was sick, she made me promise I’d get my health in order, go to school and live my dream.”

At 58, Dziurka kept that promise. She said it was an adjustment, but it helped that she kept her sense of humor. “I had an adjunct professor the age of my daughter, it was comical,” she said.

“What these kids learn today versus what I had to learn to get into college – as far as math goes, it blew my mind,” said Dziurka. I had to relearn algebra, so I took refresher courses in math. The kids in my classes would say, ‘you’re the age of my grandma!’ and it was true.”

She embraced the differences, however, and drew from her ‘mom’ experience. “I’d walk in with my mom bag with snacks for the kids. They’d laugh, but they loved it.”

Dziurka excelled in her program and found she loved learning, even more than she’d originally thought she would. 

“I was going to be an LPN, then an RN, and then I started looking into a bachelor’s degree in nursing. My husband was incredibly supportive. He said, ‘give it a go!,’ so I did.”

To explore her options, she spoke with several nurses she was working with and respected and found they’d all graduated from Davenport.  

“The nurses from Davenport were grounded in their field,” she said. “They were willing to help and be part of a team concept. They involved me as a CNA in what they were doing. I gained a lot working with them.”

On Davenport’s Midland campus, she found the same collaborative spirit in the classroom. 

“Honestly, transferring to Davenport has been the best decision I ever made,” she said. “It’s like you’re a family. The class I’m currently in, there’s 12 people and we have our own texting thread going on. We communicate back and forth and support and encourage one another. It’s so wonderful.”

At home, her biggest supporter has been her husband, who retired a year ago.

“He says, ‘If you’re happy, I’m 10 times happier,’” she said. “He laughs and calls himself the at-home guy now.”

Their two children, ages 37 and 38, cheer her on from afar.

“It’s like when moms are super proud of their kids, it’s role reversal,” she said. “They tell all their friends about my wins. They’ll say, ‘My mom is doing it, man.’”

Dziurka plans to continue working while completing her degree, with hopes of eventually retiring with health insurance in place. Professionally, she’s drawn to Alzheimer’s and stroke patients, shaped in part by her time caring for her family.

“I learned so much about how the brain heals,” she said.

She’s also interested in contributing to safe patient handling initiatives and continuing to advocate for compassionate, team-based care.

“I’m 62 going on 20,” she said. “It’s hard to keep up with the younger students sometimes, but we have fun. I like to learn. I want it all.”

For information on Davenport University’s nursing programs, visit www.davenport.edu/nursing.