Health Education and Human Sciences | Intrepid AmbitionNovember 26, 2025

Holly Needham: From Mom Life to the L&D Suite

Written By: Rachel Putman

Before she was a nursing student, Holly Needham was a stay-at-home mom. Her days were full of activities and pickups, laundry and bedtime routines, but amidst the commotion, she felt a calling to serve others.

“I’ve always wanted to become a nurse, specifically a labor and delivery nurse,” she said. “For a long time, though, I struggled with confidence in myself, and that held me back more than anything else. I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t sure I could balance school, family life, and everything else that comes with being a mom.”

Her perspective changed in 2021, after her youngest son was born. The COVID-19 pandemic was still reshaping the world, and for Holly, it meant navigating postpartum life in isolation, without the usual circle of help. It was a hard, lonely year, but it gave her something she hadn’t expected.

“Working through that time helped me discover a strength in myself I didn’t realize I had,” she said. “That experience ultimately empowered me to pursue nursing school.”

Still, there were barriers: Childcare, finances, time. Holly needed a program that fit her life without turning it upside down. She found it at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

“The Evening and Weekend BSN Track has been truly life-changing for me,” she said. “Having access to nursing classes at night made nursing school attainable without having to take on debt for daytime childcare. This flexibility allowed me to pursue my degree while still being present for my family, and it removed a major financial barrier that would have otherwise prevented me from enrolling.”

Holly is in her senior year in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UAFS. She’s turning 35 this year. Even with a new career on the horizon, she appreciates the chaos her mornings still bring.

“I’m the lunch packer, backpack stuffer, hair fixer, and shoe finder, because the shoes always disappear right when we need to leave,” she said with a laugh. “It’s busy and sometimes chaotic, but it’s part of our family rhythm.”

After drop-offs, she manages her home, studies, and completes her assignments. And in the evenings, she heads to class and clinicals. In between, she finds windows to rest and reflect.

“I try to protect small moments for myself when I can—a quiet cup of coffee, a walk with my dog, a few minutes outside, or time to breathe before diving back into schoolwork.”

Looking back, she says the evening and weekend nursing track gave her the opportunity to fit education into her life, but it was a leap of faith that really made it possible.

“When I finally enrolled, I felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, and a deep sense of pride,” she said. “It was the first time I truly bet on myself. Now, being so close to the end feels surreal. I’m grateful that I finally trusted myself enough to start.”

She’s proud of herself, but her daughter, now 14, is even more so. 

“There have been many moments when I’ve realized, ‘I’m really doing this,’ but the most meaningful has been watching my 14-year-old daughter become inspired by my journey,” Holly said. “She now wants to be a nurse herself and is planning to start the WATC program at UAFS during her junior year, with the goal of graduating from high school as an LPN. She tells me often how proud she is of me, and knowing that my journey is shaping her dreams has been one of the most powerful parts of this experience.”

On graduation day, Holly will be looking for her and the rest of her family in the crowd.

“They’ve been with me through every late-night study session and every moment of doubt,” she said. “Sharing that accomplishment with them will be incredibly meaningful.”