Student Profiles: Felipe and Leslie Reyes Pursue Nursing with Purpose 

By Brent Davis with AI editing  

When Felipe and Leslie Reyes arrive on campus each morning, they have already been awake for hours. By 4:00 a.m., they are on a train from Redlands to Long Beach—reviewing chemistry notes, planning assignments, and mapping out their week before most of the city begins its day. 

The couple, both first-year students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at American University of Health Sciences (AUHS), are not only pursuing degrees together. They are building a shared calling—one shaped by service, faith, family, and discipline. 

A Shared Calling to Serve 

Felipe has long been drawn to medicine and the study of the human body. With family members in healthcare in Mexico and an early interest in medical school, nursing became a natural path when he came to the United States. 

“I’ve always had a heart for serving,” he explains. “Nursing is a very gratifying field. It allows you to grow and continue learning.” 

Leslie was equally drawn to the profession for its flexibility and opportunities for advancement. “I love that you can start somewhere and continue growing,” she says. “There are so many pathways.” 

What ultimately convinced them to enroll at AUHS, however, was not only academics—it was culture. 

“You can feel that God is in everything they do,” Felipe says, reflecting on their campus visit. “You feel it in the hallways. The professors care. The students are engaged. It felt real.” 

Leslie agrees. “You can’t replicate a culture like this. We walked into a classroom and saw students participating, asking questions, learning together. That’s what sold us.” 

Turning Commute into Commitment 

Living in Redlands, the Reyes family faced a practical challenge: how to commute nearly three hours each way without sacrificing time with their two children, ages seven and five. 

Instead of driving, they researched public transportation, conducted trial runs, and committed to a train-based routine. Their day now begins before dawn, with e-scooters to the station, a three-hour train ride, and another scooter ride to campus. 

Rather than seeing the commute as lost time, they transformed it into structured study and connection. 

“When we’re heading to school, we prep for class,” Felipe explains. “On the way home, we finish assignments. By the time we walk in the door, we’re ready to be fully present with our kids.” 

Leslie describes the commute as unexpectedly meaningful. “It’s like a built-in date,” she says. “We plan, we talk, we study. It’s become a blessing.” 

There are occasional delays, but the couple says the tradeoff is worth it—both financially and relationally. Student transportation discounts and careful budgeting have helped reduce costs, while the rhythm of studying together has strengthened their marriage. 

“We’ve been married nine years,” Leslie reflects. “Coming to school together has helped us grow in ways we didn’t expect.” 

Learning with Intention 

The academic rigor of the sciences has been demanding. Long days on campus—sometimes from early morning until evening—require focus and resilience. 

“The sciences can be overwhelming,” Felipe admits. “But when you learn how the body works—even the smallest systems working together—it’s incredible.” 

Their children have become active participants in the journey. Homework conversations often turn into lessons about anatomy or medications. Science has become a shared family language. 

“They love learning about the body,” Felipe says. “They’re part of this journey.” 

Leslie adds that being a student has opened unexpected doors—from educational discounts to new hobbies. On the train, she recently began crocheting small creations for her children and friends. The commute has also become a space for reflection: the couple keeps a prayer board, writing goals and intentions for their family and asking for guidance while also committing to practical steps forward. 

“For us, it’s not just about asking,” Felipe says. “It’s about acting. What can we do with what we’ve been given?” 

Purpose Over Fatigue 

By the time they return home each evening, the Reyes family is tired—but, as Leslie puts it, “it’s a good tired.” 

They are intentional with their limited hours at home. If there is one hour available, they use it—sometimes spontaneously. A late-evening swim. A quick trip for frozen yogurt. Small moments made meaningful. 

“We used to say, ‘We’ll do it tomorrow,’” Leslie says. “Now we know tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. We make the time count.” 

The couple plans to graduate in March 2029. Looking ahead, they hope to serve not only locally but potentially internationally, bringing healthcare skills into communities in need. 

“Once you find your purpose,” Felipe says, “you work differently. You’re tired, but you see the bigger picture.” 

For the Reyes family, nursing is more than a degree. It is a shared mission—formed in early mornings, strengthened in classrooms, and lived out at home. 

 

Interested in beginning your own journey in nursing?
Explore the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at American University of Health Sciences and learn how you can prepare for a life of service in healthcare.