Sisters in nursing Siblings following different paths to the same calling
For sisters Jane Snow, BSN, RN, CNRN, ONC, and Ellen Ezernack, nursing is more than a profession. It is a shared journey rooted in family, shaped by personal experiences, and strengthened through their time at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston.
Although they took different paths to nursing, both found their way to Cizik School of Nursing and discovered a community that helped shape their futures.
Jane chose nursing because it runs in their family. Their grandfather was a nurse in the 1960s, a time when few men entered the profession. Both of their aunts are nurses as well. Jane graduated from the Pacesetter Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Spring 2021 during one of the most challenging periods in modern healthcare. Just three months after she started nursing school, the COVID-19 pandemic transformed education and clinical practice almost overnight.
“My experience was a little different because COVID hit and everything shifted online,” Jane recalled. “What really stood out to me was how adaptable the program was. It seemed like overnight everything changed. Tests, exams, and simulations all moved online, and it was a smooth transition. That adaptability is something we also have as nurses. Whatever situation we are put into, we learn to adjust and move forward.”
Today, Jane serves as nurse manager of a patient care unit at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital. Her leadership journey began while she was still a student. She served as a cohort representative and public information officer for the Student Government Organization, tutored fellow students in pathophysiology and pharmacology, and worked as a student professional nurse at Houston Methodist. After graduation, she came back for the Foundations in Nursing Leadership course offered by the Debbie Adams Leadership Academy at Cizik School of Nursing.
For Ellen, the path to nursing looked different. After earning her first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University, she worked as a software trainer. A family health crisis eventually inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.
Three years ago, the sisters’ father underwent heart surgery. The experience left a lasting impression.
“We had some amazing nurses taking care of us during that time,” Ellen said. “Seeing the skill and compassion they brought every day really inspired me.”
As her family navigated the healthcare system, Ellen also saw firsthand how her sister helped them understand complex medical information.
“There was a lot of translating involved,” Jane said. “The doctors would come in and talk to my family, and afterward everyone would turn to me and ask what it all meant. That experience showed me how important nurses are in helping patients and families understand what is happening.”
Inspired by both her father’s experience and her sister’s example, Ellen enrolled in the Pacesetter Accelerated BSN program in May 2025 and graduated in Aug. 2026. She participated in the Honors Research Program and completed the Joan and Stanford Alexander Fellowship in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities while working as a professional student nurse at Houston Methodist.
“Jane inspired me to choose Cizik School of Nursing,” Ellen said. “It is one of the best nursing schools in Texas. It is in the Texas Medical Center, and there is no better place to earn a nursing degree.”
For Jane, the decision to attend Cizik School of Nursing was just as straightforward.
“I did some research,” she said. “I looked at the different schools, the prerequisite requirements, and the locations. This school was the easy answer.”
While they arrived at nursing through different experiences, both sisters found opportunities to grow through faculty mentorship, leadership roles, and hands-on clinical learning. Their journeys may have started in different places, but they share the same commitment to caring for others.
Merve Erten
