Alumna Jillian Belles Honors the Memory of Her Sister

As a young mother of three in the 1990s, Jillian Belles was thankful to pursue a degree in nursing. She considered the profession her calling since she lost her 16-year-old sister, Kathy, to a terrible incident when she was 12.

However, after two years of college, Belles shared that family responsibilities required her to redirect her focus, temporarily putting her educational goals on hold.

Caring for her young family came first.

Belles then accepted an entry-level position at a telecom company after being encouraged to pursue her talent for sales. The decision served as a launching pad for a successful career in the field, eventually leading to management-level positions. After further progressing as vice president of sales at a cybersecurity company, Belles formed and managed a team that presented solutions for public sector organizations throughout the United States and Canada. The professional journey, she said, was invaluable, as it provided important business leadership skills while ensuring a strong financial foundation.

“I had to step back from school to support a family back then. In doing so, I was able to land a job in telecom where I flourished,” said Belles, then a Derry, New Hampshire resident whose career prospered for decades before the company began to experience restructuring. “I decided, after 26 years or so, I was ready to move on. I did not want to travel to the extent I had been for many years, and I was tired of the corporate world,” recalled Belles, who said she decided to leave the organization and take a few months to relax and enjoy life while contemplating her path forward.

The nursing profession continued to call Jillian.

Belles remained drawn to the field of nursing. She considered the profession to be ‘noble, selfless and rewarding.’ The recollection of her 16-year-old sister Kathy’s death due to a hit-and-run driver back in their hometown of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, remained.

“The event shaped the course of my life. I was devastated by the fact that she could not be saved and vowed to do something that would help improve the healthcare and lives of others,” said Belles, who had remarried and became the proud stepmother of three additional children. “I had always wanted to finish my nursing degree, so with my husband’s support, I decided to do so. At 60 years old, I went back to college, and at 62, I graduated,” shared Belles while admitting the goal wasn’t for the faint-hearted.

“It was a tough journey, I will not lie, and the amount of discipline and dedication needed to succeed was tremendous. I happen to be totally stubborn and was committed to completing this journey. I was exhausted but fueled by my goals. I also created lifetime friendships with some of the most amazing people. We continue to talk frequently, and I absolutely love some of my school and nursing friends. We banded together to make it happen,” said Belles, who earned her Keiser University Fort Myers Campus Associate of Science in Nursing degree, graduating with honors while also delivering a speech at her cohort’s Pinning Ceremony.

Her diligence is paying off, as she helps many.

Now employed as a preoperative and post-anesthesia spine surgery nurse, Belles works alongside neurosurgeons in the operating room. While devoting the care she gives to the memory of Kathy, she sends appreciation to the many who have supported her along the way.

“I would like to thank Professors Christine Geyer and Hermanite Menager, Director of Nursing Dr. Terri McGuire, Director of Student Services Steven Marshall, and my husband Jack Belles, who, without his help, dedication, patience, and support, I never would have made it through the program. Also, I’d like to thank my family and friends who cheered me on and celebrated every good grade and successful clinical round,” she said.

Belles, now a grandmother of six, shared this advice to others who are striving to realize their goals. “Like I said in my video, just go for it! So many people put their own barriers up that are self-defeating. I typically take one step at a time, and I don’t try to look at the whole, long journey because it will feel too daunting. The feeling that you get, even along the way, when you accomplish something, is amazing, so you celebrate throughout the journey, not just at the end. Every semester completed is a step closer to your goal, and once you finally reach graduation, you feel like a million dollars and that you can do anything. The feeling of accomplishment is like nothing else.”

About Keiser University’s Nursing Program

The College of Nursing at Keiser University utilizes a “students first” philosophy. It prepares students to provide holistic nursing care to improve individual, community, and global health outcomes.

Since 1977, Keiser University has been empowering students to achieve their career dreams. As one of Florida’s largest private, non-profit institutions, founded by Dr. Arthur Keiser and Evelyn Keiser, it offers:

Over 100 degree programs from associate to doctoral level
Recognition as the No. 1 university in the U.S. for Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
Proud membership in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
A legacy of excellence in education spanning more than 45 years

Don’t wait to start building your future. Contact Keiser University today and take the first step toward your dream career. Call Toll-Free: 888-KEISER-9 or Contact a Keiser Campus near you. Schedule your campus tour and learn more about our flexible programs, financial aid options, and career services support.