Nurse’s 1,000-mile journey to Sacred Heart Pensacola started with a wrong turn

Dustin Renfrew’s thousand-mile journey from a small town in Pennsylvania to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola in Florida all started with a wrong turn.

“In the late 90s, before GPS was popular, recruiters from Pensacola Christian College got lost on their way to a Baptist high school and found ours by accident,” Dustin recalled. 

The unexpected visit marked a turning point for Dustin, who was determined to be the first in his family to attend college. He became intrigued by the idea of attending college in Florida, living near the beach and far away from the harsh northern winters.

"I grew up on a cattle farm. It was beautiful, but I knew it wasn't a place where I would thrive," said Dustin, a nurse in the post-anesthesia care unit at Sacred Heart, who grew up in Nickleville, Penn.

Despite the financial challenges, Dustin's determination never wavered. His father arranged for him to work at the local lumber mill during school breaks to pay for tuition. One semester, he returned to school to a windfall.

"The registrar told me an anonymous donor had paid my tuition in full," he said. "It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders."

Like many college students, Dustin didn’t know what he wanted to do.

"I originally majored in computer science, but it wasn't the right fit," he said. "I wasn't doing anything to nurture the part that loved to help and care for others."

During a moment of frustration, he prayed. "I needed to know what to do with my life because I didn't want to feel empty. Nursing truly is a calling. I believe that I was called that day and I answered."

Early in his 17-year nursing career at Sacred Heart, he learned to be an active, compassionate listener. He has since become a respected member of the post-anesthesia care unit, known for his empathy and dedication to his patients.

It was only at graduation that Dustin learned the anonymous donor’s identity. It was the owner of the lumber mill where he had worked during school breaks. His generosity made his college education possible.

“I often say I would do my job for free,” he said. “It’s fulfilling to be a part of patients’ healing process, getting them to a place where they can continue their lives. I’ve learned that not only am I on the right path, but I can make a difference.”