However Demetria did not stop there. That same year, she finished from Lincoln High School, currently midway through her college journey. From an early stage, she had actually always known she wanted a profession in the medical field.
Initially, she imagined ending up being a cardiothoracic cosmetic surgeon, but with time, her passion developed. However along the line, she faced a terrible loss.In November 2020, Demetria lost her mother, Elicia Coley, to ovarian cancer. Her mom, a NICU nurse, had been a strong influence in her life. That loss was not just emotional; it improved her purpose.Instead of dissuading her, it deepened her desire to pursue a career in health care. “I chose to follow in my mother’s steps and make her proud,”she shared.After finishing her early college credits
, Demetria proceeded to Florida A&M University, where she invested two years finishing her prerequisites. By the end of 2024, she had actually developed a strong academic and practical structure for her next action. She then transferred to Florida State University to pursue her
Nursing degree. During her time there, Demetria not just focused on academics, but she likewise immersed herself in real-world experience.She worked with the Florida Company for Healthcare Administration, volunteered in the emergency department
at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, and finished a preceptorship at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.These experiences played a crucial role in shaping her profession choice. While she once considered ending up being a surgeon, her clinical exposure assisted her realize that nursing offered something she valued more: deeper, more individual interaction with clients.”Cosmetic surgeons fix the problem, but nurses really get to look after patients and get in touch with them,”she explained.All her years of preparation caused a specifying minute.
On May 1 2026, Demetria walked throughout the stage at Florida State University, officially earning her Nursing degree at simply 18 years of ages, making history as the youngest graduate from the university’s College of Nursing.”I’m simply thankful I have the ability to walk across the phase,”she stated, reviewing the minute. Behind her success is likewise a strong support system. Her father, Demetrius Coley, was a science teacher and department chair who instilled in his daughters the value of education from an early age.He encouraged them
to take extra classes, including summer season programs through Florida Virtual School, ensuring they stayed ahead academically.Looking ahead, Demetria prepares to begin her career as a NICU nurse, continuing the legacy of her late mother while making her own impact in the lives of newborns and their households.”I’m happy that I can continue to make history and make my mama proud,”she stated.