Shakeyda Myers, a licensed nurse, works overnight shifts at a physical rehabilitation center and is going to Jersey College to become a registered nurse while raising five children. While shopping in Walmart with her daughter, she saw a man standing next to her fall to the ground. She rushed over to the man and rolled him on his left side. He wasn't breathing, and Myers couldn't find a pulse. Myers then dialed 911 and started doing chest compressions.

She says she has no idea for how long she did chest compressions before police arrived. Myers and the officers took turns continuing compressions and used a defibrillator to try and get the man's heart started. Watchung police say officers arrived to find the man with a faint pulse and labored breathing. EMTs arrived after police and took the man to a hospital.

Myers says the experience validates her career choice. She says she's worked in prisons and assisted other nurses in reviving people, but never had anything like this happened to her. Once she completes school, she wants to work as an emergency room nurse.

Jersey College hosted a special ceremony to recognize Shakeyda for her heroic actions, along with her fellow nursing students and community. During the ceremony, Judith Schmidt, MSN, DHA (c), RN, CCRN, CEO of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, thanked Shakeyda for taking life-saving measures in the community and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz presented Shakeyda with a Senate Resolution thanking her for her heroic actions. Jersey College also presented Shakeyda with an award for taking life-saving measures on a stranger.

Jersey College Pride means making sure our students are recognized, especially when their “nurse-instinct” inspires them to act heroically. We are so proud of you, Shakeyda Myers. You are a true example of what the NurseLife is all about!