Overcoming Barriers, Creating Change: Julisa Merwin's Journey from Foster Care to Nursing Graduate

In the heart of Riverside, California, a remarkable woman is defying the odds. Julisa Merwin, a first-generation college student, former foster youth, Latina woman, and single parent, has completed her nursing degree at 蜜桃社 (RCC), a college renowned for its exceptional NCLEX passing rates. But Julisa鈥檚 story is much more than just a graduation date. It鈥檚 a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of higher education despite the overwhelming barriers she鈥檚 faced.
鈥淚 am not officially licensed yet,鈥 she says confidently, 鈥渂ut I know I will pass the NCLEX on my first attempt. I have no doubt.鈥 Julisa鈥檚 story speaks volumes about the challenges foster youth face and the strength it takes to overcome them.
A Childhood of Struggle
Julisa鈥檚 journey began in downtown Los Angeles, across from the infamous MacArthur
Park, a place known for its challenges. Raised by her grandmother, a woman from Honduras
who had migrated to the U.S. with her service member husband which the marriage ended
in America, Julisa鈥檚 early life was steeped in poverty. 鈥淢y mom was on welfare, and
both my grandmother and mother suffered from mental illness. I was the one who took
care of everything鈥攃ooking, cleaning, running errands,鈥 Julisa recalls.
When Julisa was just 13 years old, her grandmother passed away, and soon after, Julisa and her siblings were evicted from their grandmother鈥檚 apartment. 鈥淒ue to being homeless as a teenager in the ghetto of Los Angeles that led me to drop out of school, experiment with drugs, and got involve with the gang life,鈥 Julisa reminiscences. Her mother鈥檚 health continued to decline, leading to a mental nervous breakdown which placed her in a psychiatric facility. It resulted Julisa and her siblings being placed into foster care system. For many, the foster care system represents a fractured experience, often devoid of the support needed to thrive. Julisa experienced this firsthand.
The Foster Care System: A Blessing in Disguise
鈥淧eople always say how awful foster care is, and it鈥檚 true鈥攊t鈥檚 dehumanizing,鈥 Julisa
shares. 鈥淏ut for me, it was a blessing in disguise. It got me out of the dangerous
life I was living. It gave me a shot at something better.鈥 Despite the trauma and
adversity, Julisa鈥檚 placement in foster care opened doors she didn鈥檛 even know existed.
However, the system failed in many ways. Julisa recalls being placed in multiple foster homes, many of which were less than supportive. 鈥淪ome foster parents didn鈥檛 care about our futures or help us gain the tools to be self-sufficient adults,鈥 she notes. "I was one of the lucky ones, though. I had two good foster homes where I could feel some stability, but that鈥檚 not always the case."
Julisa鈥檚 siblings were separated during this time, a painful reality many foster youth face. Despite the separation, Julisa remained determined to pursue an education鈥攕omething rare among foster youth. Statistically, only 3-4% of former foster youth go on to pursue their undergraduate degrees, according to the National Foster Youth Institute. Julisa, however, was on a path to defy the odds.
The Turning Point: Becoming a Mother and Student
Julisa鈥檚 turning point came at the age of 23 when she became pregnant. 鈥淚 knew I had
to turn my life around for my child,鈥 she says. Determined to pursue her education,
she continued attending school full-time while working. The pressures were immense,
and like many single parents, Julisa had to balance her responsibilities as a mother
with the demands of school.
Her son鈥檚 health took a toll on her, too. 鈥淚n 2018, my 10 month old son was admitted to the pediatric ICU, and it was terrifying. He was oxygen-deprived, and I had no nursing knowledge at the time. But that experience motivated me even more to pursue a career in nursing, so I could help others in similar situations,鈥 she recalls.
Despite the struggles, Julisa remained focused. 鈥淚 was working full-time, studying for my science prerequisites, and taking care of my son. It was exhausting, but it was also empowering. I wanted my son to see what education could do for us.鈥
A Sense of Home and Scholarships
In 2019, Julisa鈥檚 life took another turn when she received furniture through the nonprofit
organization . The organization, dedicated to providing former foster youth with the tools and
support to create stable homes, blessed Julisa with home furnishings, which helped
her focus on her studies and her family鈥檚 well-being. 鈥淣ot only did they give me a
Sense of Home but they made a huge impact on my educational journey. They not only
did they gave me furniture, but I was also blessed with a scholarship and community
support which helped me feel grounded. It was one less thing to worry about,鈥 Julisa
says.
, helping to raise awareness about the struggles former foster youth face as they transition into adulthood. 鈥淚 wanted to share my story because people think of foster youth as children, but they often forget about us as adults. We face numerous barriers in education, housing, community support, and employment,鈥 she notes.
The recognition from People magazine was not just about Julisa鈥攊t was about amplifying the voices of foster youth across the nation, showing that despite the statistics, success is possible.
The Road to RCC and Nursing School
In 2018, Julisa was accepted into RCC nursing program. However, her path wasn鈥檛 without
its struggles. She faced issues with housing insecurity, childcare stability, and
her son鈥檚 health. Ultimately, these events caused Julisa to fail out of her first
semester in the RN program. 鈥淚 remembered it vividly and it was painful enduring the
lack of family and community support.
During near the end of my first semester, my clinical group was asked to speak with future students that were applying to RCC鈥檚 nursing program what it takes to be successful. Each of my classmates kept on mentioning the importance of family support. When it was my turn to speak, my eyes welled up in tears, and I reinforced how family support is vital to complete the nursing program. I expressed to the students the lack of family support has negatively weighed heavy on my studies.鈥 Julisa recalls. However, her determination never wavered. She even encountered difficulties finding low-income housing, knocking on manager鈥檚 doors, and learning about Section 8 housing through a speaker at RCC鈥檚 Guardian Scholars Program.
鈥淚 was desperate, but I took the opportunity when it came. It was like winning a golden ticket,鈥 she says. Once Julisa secured housing stability, she was able to focus on her studies and manage her son鈥檚 health. She completed RCC鈥檚 CNA program in December 2019, LVN program in August 2021, and the LVN-RN bridge program in December 2024.
In the face of all these challenges, Julisa鈥檚 resilience kept her going. She credits her professors, advisors, and the resources at RCC for helping her stay on track. 鈥淢y professors were supportive, and they learned a lot about the foster care system through my own experiences and the resources RCC provided,鈥 she shares.
Looking Forward: Nursing and Advocacy
Julisa鈥檚 journey is far from over. She is enrolled through RCC鈥檚 jump start program with Cal State Fullerton University. She began her undergraduate program in Spring 2025. In addition to prepare for the NCLEX exam in February 2025, she reflects on how far she鈥檚 come. 鈥淚鈥檓 not just pursuing nursing for myself鈥擨鈥檓 doing it for my son, and I want to make a difference for other foster youth(s). Education has been the key to my transformation,鈥 she says.
Her journey has also made her a fierce advocate for foster youth. 鈥淲e need more resources for foster youth, especially when we age out of the system. There鈥檚 not enough education about the struggles foster youth face once they leave the system. I hope my story helps others realize that education can be a lifeline,鈥 she says.
Julisa鈥檚 story is a powerful reminder that despite the most challenging circumstances, with determination and support, anything is possible. She is living proof that foster youth, and anyone facing adversity, can rise above their circumstances and achieve their dreams.