Mom Who Gave Birth During Nursing School Carries Baby Across Graduation Stage

A proud nursing school graduate who gave birth, worked two jobs and served in the military during her studies crossed the graduation stage with her baby in her arms to rapturous cheers. Jada Hargrove, 23, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Nursing on May 9, accompanied by her four-month-old son, Elias. The moment marked the end of an emotional journey for Jada, which meant later nights, planning her studies around a new arrival, and even taking her son to class on rare occasions. Jada joined the nursing school in January 2021, shortly after completing her training for the Virginia Army National Guard. Everything was falling into place, Jada said, until she discovered she was pregnant in the spring of her junior year. With 60 clinical hours left to complete for the semester, Jada persisted, despite feeling sick and physically drained, and finished her junior year. Then, going into her senior year, Jada discovered her pregnancy had become high risk, as she had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Jada planned her induced birth for after her final exams, and having aced the questions, her true final exam, she said, was to deliver Elias. For the final months of nursing school, Jada’s life was filled with sleepless nights, 12-hour clinical shifts, and a support network that included Elias' father and Jada's grandmother. During her studies, Jada had also worked two jobs and served in the military on weekends. And so, when it came time for her to graduate, she knew Elias needed to be there with her, given he had been the beacon of his mother's journey.