A second calling: From courtroom to compassionate care Retired lawyer and executive prepares for career in nursing
A devastating family moment changed everything for Angela Siebe. Then, she was an attorney and vice president at a Fortune 100 company. Now retired from her first career, she is working toward her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
At 57, she is on track to graduate this August from Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, ready to serve patients the way nurses once served her family.
Personal experience shaped her interest in nursing. Her son suffered severe injuries when pinned beneath an overturned golf cart, and he required complex, high-risk medical care. The outcome was uncertain. During that time, she saw firsthand the role nurses play, not only in managing clinical needs, but also in supporting patients and families emotionally.
“The nurses were outstanding,” she recalls. “They didn’t just care for his medical needs. They cared for the emotional and mental strain of everything.”
At the time, she continued her legal and business career, which lasted 23 years through private practice and corporate leadership. In her most recent role, she oversaw real estate operations across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico for a cell tower infrastructure company. With no background in healthcare or science, a career change was not initially part of her plan, but the experience planted a seed.
“I began to wonder what it would be like to be that nurse for someone else, to not only provide clinical care, but to offer comfort when it’s needed most,” she said.
In 2023, when she had the opportunity to take early retirement from the company, she began exploring nursing by enrolling in prerequisite science courses while still working as a vice president.
“I didn’t know if I could do it, but I loved it,” she said.
She completed her prerequisites and then began her journey at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. She sees this transition not as a late change, but as a new chapter with long-term purpose.
“I often feel like the luckiest person in the world,” she says. “Most people don’t get one career they love. I feel like I get two.”
Her perspective on patient care is shaped by both her personal experience and her outlook on service. She views even the most routine or difficult aspects of nursing as meaningful.
“It’s an honor to help someone when they can’t help themselves,” she said. “Being part of someone’s care during a difficult time is a privilege.”
In addition to her academic experience, she values the relationships she has built with her classmates, who have fully welcomed and supported her even though most are decades younger.
“That was something I didn’t expect,” she says. “But it’s been another gift.”
As she prepares for her last semester, she brings with her a unique combination of professional experience, personal perspective, and a strong commitment to patient care. This August, she won’t just graduate. She will step into a role that once supported her in her most difficult moment, ready to do the same for others.
Merve Erten
