Red Raider nursing runs in family; Daughter follows parents’ path to TTUHSC

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Carahlyne Laymance received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, following both of her parents into the nursing profession and across the same graduation stage.

“There’s a lot of Red Raider in our family,” her mother, Cherilyn Laymance, said.

Carahlyne’s father, Shahn Laymance, said watching his daughter graduate carried personal meaning.

“It’s thrilling to not only be there seeing her walk across where...we’ve both walked across, but just to see your youngest doing the same thing and having completed it, it’s very exciting,” Shahn said.

Carahlyne said she did not always know she wanted to become a nurse. But growing up in Pecan Gap, a small town in northeast Texas, with two nurse parents, her mom says there were signs of her future profession.

“She called me one day from the middle of the pasture and she says, number 36, who’s a sheep, ran up against the fence and has a laceration. It’s this many centimeters by this many centimeters. I can see through to this layer. And it was the most head to toe nurse assessment I’ve ever heard,’ she said. ”You want to rush out to take care of the sheep, but I’m cracking up the whole way."

Shahn became a nurse after 20 years in what he called a dead-end career. He’s a pediatric trauma charge nurse at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.

Cherilyn followed suit, and spent several years in pediatric cardiology nursing. She’s now an adjunct faculty member with TTUHSC School of Nursing.

“We are by nature, there’s a lot alike, but there’s very different reasons that nursing appeals to us. He is that totally compassionate caretaker and I was the mom who said, you’re fine, walk it off. But I like the complexity and that part of it and that’s how I show care,” Cherilyn said.

She says after going through the RN to BSN program at TTUHSC, there was no question their future education endeavors would be as Red Raiders.

Shahn graduated in May with his master’s in nursing. Cherilyn is set to receive her Doctor of Nursing Practice next May. Both degrees are from TTUHSC.

Cherilyn said Carahlyne encouraged her to pursue the doctoral program.

“I mentioned to her, they’ve said I should do this, but I’m really not sure I would love to do it, but I think I’m kind of too old to do this. And she said, if I have to do nursing school, you have to do it with me,” Cherilyn said.

Cherilyn and Carahlyne ended up attending orientation on the same day at two different campuses and wrote papers on the same topic without knowing it beforehand.

“So, there is some comfort in being able to talk about whatever crazy assignments you’ve got going on. And them understanding because they’re doing almost exactly the same thing,” Carahlyne said.

Carahlyne lived in Pecan Gap while going through the BSN program at the TTUHSC Mansfield site. Her grandmother lives there and was part of her late study nights.

“I’m sitting here feeling bad because I’m sitting in her house eating her food. But she’s just like, it’s just, it’s girls night. We’re just hanging out,” Carahlyne said.

Dr. Holly Wei, dean of the nursing program, presented Carahlyne with her degree.

“Watching her walk and seeing Dr. Wei, who’s the dean of the nursing program, is my doctoral advisor. And so she’s handed me a couple of different degrees and she’s coached me through stuff. So, to watch her shaking hands and handing Caroline her stuff, it was just amazing. I mean, I couldn’t be any prouder,” Cherilyn said.