February 12, 2026 • 11 mins
In this episode of the Mi San Antonio Podcast, host Pedro Aire sits down with Maria E. Williams, BSN, RN, Director of RGV College in San Antonio. Together, they explore the growing opportunities within the medical field and what it takes to begin a rewarding career in nursing. Maria shares insight into:
Tune in and get inspired to start your journey.
- How future students can start their education at RGV College – San Antonio
- Available financial aid options and support resources
- The hands-on training, classroom experience, and real-world preparation offered through the program
- Why now is an ideal time to pursue a path in healthcare
Tune in and get inspired to start your journey.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Family, Pedro Lida. Welcome to another episode of the Me
(00:03):
San Antonio podcast, where we speak with local influencers, musicians, professionals, executives,
folks from different backgrounds, different fields. Elia de Oi Deng Cavina,
Maria E. Williams. Now, I'm going to get these titles
wrong since I don't know these titles. But Maria, I'm
going to have you jump in, tell your titles, and
(00:23):
I'm going to say who you're representing today. Maria I.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Williams, I'm from Real Grand Valley College bsn R N
BSN R M SA. I've got a Boucher's degree and
i am currently a registered nurse and i am the
director school director for Real Grand Valley College here in
San Antonio. And I'm also the vocational nursing director for
the program that we're bringing to San Antonio.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Today we're talking about the career and programs available at
the Real Grand Valley College AQUI in San Antonio, and
people are looking for rewarding careers and a profession that
will always be needed. You know, Yami, my mom always
said nkoon things that will never you know, people things
people will always need haircuts. You could be a barber. Okay,
(01:09):
nurses and doctors. People unfortunately get sick and we need
more folks in the field that can help those who
are sick. So tell me about what does real Grand
Valley College in San Antonio offer students who are interested
in nursing.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
So we're offering different types of healthcare education programs. Three
that we're bringing specifically to the San Antonio area are
high demand programs, which are a Medical assistant which is
a six month program. We have a vocational nursing program
which is ten months in length. We also have the
LBN to URN Transition program, which is twelve months long,
(01:46):
so if you you heard me say that correctly months
where sometimes students are not looking for years or spending
in a university. So we're offering these careers that are
preparing the students, getting them the education they need, getting
them licensed, and get them out to employers as quickly
as they need them.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Now, we all go through this certain period in life,
maybe we started a career or a job and you're
just like, man, I need something else. I need a
change in what it is I want to do in life.
So for someone listening right now who wants a career change,
or a fresh start. What makes the vocational nursing program
at our GV College a great option.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Well, a lot of individuals that we are seeing comes
through the doors or individuals that are looking for career changes,
and for the vocational nursing program, it's a step into nursing.
Also introduces them to whether or not this is what
they want to do. A lot of these individuals are
coming in this is something they wanted to do before,
they just never had the time, maybe never spoken to
someone that could actually encourage them or guide them in
(02:47):
the right direction. So vocational nursing they're coming in and
in ten months they actually leave with a license, the
ability to be able to sit for their state board exam,
become a nurse and start working with patients, and then
in a short period of time a year later they
can get their richiter nursing license as well.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Now, I bet you see folks from all walks of
life definitely pivot and come to the nursing world. Like
have you seen like what folks from what past careers?
What have you seen?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Actually, what we've seen is bartenders, we've seen actually law
law enforcement officers. We've also seen engineers and yes, and teachers.
Definitely teachers looking for the transition that they always come
back and they say nursing was always something I wanted
to do, but it just didn't get that push from
my parents or never had the opportunity. Now that it's here,
now that I see that I have the potential, I
(03:33):
am it's attainable. Yes, then I want to give it
a shot.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
You know, I've been in radio for twenty plus years.
Maybe it's time to pivot and go to nursing. I
don't know. Well, we'll see how. We'll see how this
one goes. So let me ask you this. You know,
folks make that pivot, They make that decision in life,
probably later in life because you know, when they were younger,
resources weren't available. So talk to me about is finance
(04:00):
aid available and how does RGB College help students navigate
the financial aid process?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Okay, So I know recently there's been a lot of
misinformation out in social media also on the internet. There's
still opportunity for students to qualify for financial aids.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Say that one more time. There's still there's.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Still opportunity for financial aid to be attainable through any
student that looking to go into the healthcare education system.
And so there's what we do is we'll meet one
to one with the student, have them fill out the
FASTBA application, go through the process, and just educating them
on the ability of federal pilgrants, federal student loans. There's
(04:41):
also local, county and city initiatives that are also offering students,
you know, assistance with tuition. In addition to at our institution,
we also offer payment plan payment plans so that way
the student doesn't lose out on the opportunity of you know,
continuing their education.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
You hear that, folks, The money is out there, it's available.
You can jump right into this, get the training and
the education you need to succeed and make a difference
in people's lives and people's health. Now, once you go
through the classes, once you get board certified, once you
(05:20):
get your license, once you get your certificates, all that stuff. Now,
there's just like you mentioned earlier, there's a lot of
misinformation out there. Social media is not real news. Ladies
and gentlemen surprised, but we hear stories about four year
college graduates struggling to find jobs. How does RGB College
help students prepare for employment after graduation and.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Actually visiting with university. So we work hand in hand
with them. We're always creating those pipelines. What we've noticed
is a four year degree student nursing student, the reason
they're having such a difficult time is they're not gaining
those hands on experiences. With our programs, they're fast paced,
their hands on they're getting them also prepared to go
and sit for their state board exam. You're not losing time.
(06:03):
And so what's the difference is the hands on training.
They're getting it every year they go to school, and
so for US vocational nursing, every course that they take,
they're going to clinical, they're going to externship, they're getting
in there with patients, they're meeting doctors, and so they're
getting their hands you know, pretty much in it. And
the that's that's what makes it unique because I don't
(06:25):
think the education or the understanding is there. A lot
of the times you look at it as well, you
know what, it's a six month program, it's a one
year program, but you know versus a four year it's
just not allowing you to get in there faster, right,
And so that's what we're doing. We're creating those opportunities,
So we're just not creating opportunities, we're also getting them
(06:47):
into the career of their choice.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
So you're learning and gaining the on site experience as
you're learning. And then and then you know, at the
end of all this, with the help of RGB College
San Antonio, you get pointed in the right direction for
where you know the positions are available. I love that.
So what would you say to someone who's always wanted
to work in healthcare but it didn't think it was
(07:09):
possible for them? We already talked about you know, maybe
when they were younger, the resources weren't available. Maybe they
didn't get that encouragement at home. I'll use myself as
an example again. You know when I got in a
radio Madi was like Michole Suzon hobby. You know, I
grew up an in the desert in Arizona. Why don't
you learn how to fix air conditioners? Because I've big
money out there, Like great mom, that's not what I
(07:30):
want to do, right, And it happens, right, It happens
especially in our community, right. You know, our family members
come to this country for a bigger opportunity, but sometimes
they don't see the bigger opportunities, and they encourage us
to go one way when we really want to go
another way. So what do you tell? What do you
say to someone who has been thinking about this it's
(07:51):
on their mind, or maybe they're doing something else, or
they're just like, I don't want to be here anymore.
I really want to shoot for this.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Well, one of the things is coming out and talking
to us, cannecting with someone because a lot of the
times it's just not understanding what the process is. They've
been out of school for a while and so they're
also they have the fear of going back and it's
going to be harder.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
I'm old, that's me right there. The thing is that when.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
When when you come in and you connect with us,
just like you and I have been talking. I love that,
I love my drive, I love my passion, and now
that I'm older, I wish that someone would have talked
to me about these opportunities. And that's what we want
to do at our GiB College. We want to be
able to sit with you, talk to you one to one.
Let's figure out.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Are we for you?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Are you for us? And let's build a team. Let's
get you going. Let's get you the information you need
so that that way, this will lead you into the
direction of health care, which health care isn't going anywhere, guys.
Healthcare is here to stay. There's so many opportunities. Our
graduates are going into hospitals, they're going to private offices,
they're going into skilled nursing, they're going into wound care.
There's just a variety of things for them to you know,
(08:53):
dwelve into once they get their license. Just doors open up.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You know. And here in San Antonio, I've had conversations,
conversations with other organizations that deal with you know, diabetes
and uh, you know cancer rates and then uh cancer
and children and and it's all terrible things to hear.
But the bright side to all that is that there
is there's science, there's data, and there's people committed to
(09:22):
improving people's health. So if if you're listening to this
podcast right now, uh, and you just heard you know,
all this great information and the opportunities available at RGV
College San Antonio, don't think about it anymore. It's it's
time to act on that passion that lives within you
and go to school and become a nurse, get involved
(09:44):
in in the in in in in the health uh
world industry, I don't know what you want to call it,
in the medical field and make a difference in people's lives.
So where can folks? Is there a website or who
can they call to get started today? Awesome?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
They can actually reach out to us. They can visit
our website. It has all the information they need. It's
got the contact information as well. But they can visit
the website at www dot RGB College dot ed U.
The phone number is two one zero nine four two
eight one eight one.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
And again that website is RGV College dot e d
U M P s l O. And before you know it,
you're gonna be in a in a in a either
a doctor's office or a hospital. And god forbid, I
show up and I'm like, hey, did you go to
RGV College in San Antonio? And you're gonna say yes?
And I'm like great, I don't feel good and you're
gonna make it feel great. Buddiyeah, thank you so much
(10:37):
for getting in here today and having this conversation. Super
excited about hearing about the information and real Grand Valley
College in San Antonio. Here in San Antonio, the ke
(10:57):
Bingo I love it. That's his money. Thank you.
Family, Pedro Lida. Welcome to another episode of the Me
(00:03):
San Antonio podcast, where we speak with local influencers, musicians, professionals, executives,
folks from different backgrounds, different fields. Elia de Oi Deng Cavina,
Maria E. Williams. Now, I'm going to get these titles
wrong since I don't know these titles. But Maria, I'm
going to have you jump in, tell your titles, and
(00:23):
I'm going to say who you're representing today. Maria I.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Williams, I'm from Real Grand Valley College bsn R N
BSN R M SA. I've got a Boucher's degree and
i am currently a registered nurse and i am the
director school director for Real Grand Valley College here in
San Antonio. And I'm also the vocational nursing director for
the program that we're bringing to San Antonio.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Today we're talking about the career and programs available at
the Real Grand Valley College AQUI in San Antonio, and
people are looking for rewarding careers and a profession that
will always be needed. You know, Yami, my mom always
said nkoon things that will never you know, people things
people will always need haircuts. You could be a barber. Okay,
(01:09):
nurses and doctors. People unfortunately get sick and we need
more folks in the field that can help those who
are sick. So tell me about what does real Grand
Valley College in San Antonio offer students who are interested
in nursing.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
So we're offering different types of healthcare education programs. Three
that we're bringing specifically to the San Antonio area are
high demand programs, which are a Medical assistant which is
a six month program. We have a vocational nursing program
which is ten months in length. We also have the
LBN to URN Transition program, which is twelve months long,
(01:46):
so if you you heard me say that correctly months
where sometimes students are not looking for years or spending
in a university. So we're offering these careers that are
preparing the students, getting them the education they need, getting
them licensed, and get them out to employers as quickly
as they need them.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Now, we all go through this certain period in life,
maybe we started a career or a job and you're
just like, man, I need something else. I need a
change in what it is I want to do in life.
So for someone listening right now who wants a career change,
or a fresh start. What makes the vocational nursing program
at our GV College a great option.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Well, a lot of individuals that we are seeing comes
through the doors or individuals that are looking for career changes,
and for the vocational nursing program, it's a step into nursing.
Also introduces them to whether or not this is what
they want to do. A lot of these individuals are
coming in this is something they wanted to do before,
they just never had the time, maybe never spoken to
someone that could actually encourage them or guide them in
(02:47):
the right direction. So vocational nursing they're coming in and
in ten months they actually leave with a license, the
ability to be able to sit for their state board exam,
become a nurse and start working with patients, and then
in a short period of time a year later they
can get their richiter nursing license as well.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Now, I bet you see folks from all walks of
life definitely pivot and come to the nursing world. Like
have you seen like what folks from what past careers?
What have you seen?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Actually, what we've seen is bartenders, we've seen actually law
law enforcement officers. We've also seen engineers and yes, and teachers.
Definitely teachers looking for the transition that they always come
back and they say nursing was always something I wanted
to do, but it just didn't get that push from
my parents or never had the opportunity. Now that it's here,
now that I see that I have the potential, I
(03:33):
am it's attainable. Yes, then I want to give it
a shot.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
You know, I've been in radio for twenty plus years.
Maybe it's time to pivot and go to nursing. I
don't know. Well, we'll see how. We'll see how this
one goes. So let me ask you this. You know,
folks make that pivot, They make that decision in life,
probably later in life because you know, when they were younger,
resources weren't available. So talk to me about is finance
(04:00):
aid available and how does RGB College help students navigate
the financial aid process?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Okay, So I know recently there's been a lot of
misinformation out in social media also on the internet. There's
still opportunity for students to qualify for financial aids.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Say that one more time. There's still there's.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Still opportunity for financial aid to be attainable through any
student that looking to go into the healthcare education system.
And so there's what we do is we'll meet one
to one with the student, have them fill out the
FASTBA application, go through the process, and just educating them
on the ability of federal pilgrants, federal student loans. There's
(04:41):
also local, county and city initiatives that are also offering students,
you know, assistance with tuition. In addition to at our institution,
we also offer payment plan payment plans so that way
the student doesn't lose out on the opportunity of you know,
continuing their education.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
You hear that, folks, The money is out there, it's available.
You can jump right into this, get the training and
the education you need to succeed and make a difference
in people's lives and people's health. Now, once you go
through the classes, once you get board certified, once you
(05:20):
get your license, once you get your certificates, all that stuff. Now,
there's just like you mentioned earlier, there's a lot of
misinformation out there. Social media is not real news. Ladies
and gentlemen surprised, but we hear stories about four year
college graduates struggling to find jobs. How does RGB College
help students prepare for employment after graduation and.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Actually visiting with university. So we work hand in hand
with them. We're always creating those pipelines. What we've noticed
is a four year degree student nursing student, the reason
they're having such a difficult time is they're not gaining
those hands on experiences. With our programs, they're fast paced,
their hands on they're getting them also prepared to go
and sit for their state board exam. You're not losing time.
(06:03):
And so what's the difference is the hands on training.
They're getting it every year they go to school, and
so for US vocational nursing, every course that they take,
they're going to clinical, they're going to externship, they're getting
in there with patients, they're meeting doctors, and so they're
getting their hands you know, pretty much in it. And
the that's that's what makes it unique because I don't
(06:25):
think the education or the understanding is there. A lot
of the times you look at it as well, you
know what, it's a six month program, it's a one
year program, but you know versus a four year it's
just not allowing you to get in there faster, right,
And so that's what we're doing. We're creating those opportunities,
So we're just not creating opportunities, we're also getting them
(06:47):
into the career of their choice.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
So you're learning and gaining the on site experience as
you're learning. And then and then you know, at the
end of all this, with the help of RGB College
San Antonio, you get pointed in the right direction for
where you know the positions are available. I love that.
So what would you say to someone who's always wanted
to work in healthcare but it didn't think it was
(07:09):
possible for them? We already talked about you know, maybe
when they were younger, the resources weren't available. Maybe they
didn't get that encouragement at home. I'll use myself as
an example again. You know when I got in a
radio Madi was like Michole Suzon hobby. You know, I
grew up an in the desert in Arizona. Why don't
you learn how to fix air conditioners? Because I've big
money out there, Like great mom, that's not what I
(07:30):
want to do, right, And it happens, right, It happens
especially in our community, right. You know, our family members
come to this country for a bigger opportunity, but sometimes
they don't see the bigger opportunities, and they encourage us
to go one way when we really want to go
another way. So what do you tell? What do you
say to someone who has been thinking about this it's
(07:51):
on their mind, or maybe they're doing something else, or
they're just like, I don't want to be here anymore.
I really want to shoot for this.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Well, one of the things is coming out and talking
to us, cannecting with someone because a lot of the
times it's just not understanding what the process is. They've
been out of school for a while and so they're
also they have the fear of going back and it's
going to be harder.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
I'm old, that's me right there. The thing is that when.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
When when you come in and you connect with us,
just like you and I have been talking. I love that,
I love my drive, I love my passion, and now
that I'm older, I wish that someone would have talked
to me about these opportunities. And that's what we want
to do at our GiB College. We want to be
able to sit with you, talk to you one to one.
Let's figure out.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Are we for you?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Are you for us? And let's build a team. Let's
get you going. Let's get you the information you need
so that that way, this will lead you into the
direction of health care, which health care isn't going anywhere, guys.
Healthcare is here to stay. There's so many opportunities. Our
graduates are going into hospitals, they're going to private offices,
they're going into skilled nursing, they're going into wound care.
There's just a variety of things for them to you know,
(08:53):
dwelve into once they get their license. Just doors open up.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You know. And here in San Antonio, I've had conversations,
conversations with other organizations that deal with you know, diabetes
and uh, you know cancer rates and then uh cancer
and children and and it's all terrible things to hear.
But the bright side to all that is that there
is there's science, there's data, and there's people committed to
(09:22):
improving people's health. So if if you're listening to this
podcast right now, uh, and you just heard you know,
all this great information and the opportunities available at RGV
College San Antonio, don't think about it anymore. It's it's
time to act on that passion that lives within you
and go to school and become a nurse, get involved
(09:44):
in in the in in in in the health uh
world industry, I don't know what you want to call it,
in the medical field and make a difference in people's lives.
So where can folks? Is there a website or who
can they call to get started today? Awesome?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
They can actually reach out to us. They can visit
our website. It has all the information they need. It's
got the contact information as well. But they can visit
the website at www dot RGB College dot ed U.
The phone number is two one zero nine four two
eight one eight one.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
And again that website is RGV College dot e d
U M P s l O. And before you know it,
you're gonna be in a in a in a either
a doctor's office or a hospital. And god forbid, I
show up and I'm like, hey, did you go to
RGV College in San Antonio? And you're gonna say yes?
And I'm like great, I don't feel good and you're
gonna make it feel great. Buddiyeah, thank you so much
(10:37):
for getting in here today and having this conversation. Super
excited about hearing about the information and real Grand Valley
College in San Antonio. Here in San Antonio, the ke
(10:57):
Bingo I love it. That's his money. Thank you.
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