When you meet Casey Anderson, the first thing you might notice about him is his piercing blue eyes, and we all know the saying: the eyes are the window to the soul. With a forbearing soul dedicated to serving others, Anderson is reshaping what care looks like for patients across the Valley, providing kindness and empathy at every step of their treatment. As a nurse, he’s found his niche working with vulnerable communities, providing patient-centered care to those who need it most.
A Hero's Journey
For Anderson, learning what compassionate care meant came at an early age. He recalls the dedicated healthcare staff who attended to his sister, whose battle with a serious illness left her bedridden. Later in life, it was through his volunteer efforts with Sonoran Prevention Works—a local organization committed to helping vulnerable populations through street-based outreach and risk-reduction programming—that lit a fire within him.
In 2023, he, like many other adult learners, set out for the great re-enrollment, returning to college with the hopes of pursuing a career in nursing. Anderson, who attended and earned a bachelor’s degree from a traditional four-year university, chose GateWay Community College (GWCC), Arizona’s first technical college, for its rich history of preparing students for roles in the healthcare industry.
What Makes Opportunity Real?
“GateWay opened up the entire medical field for me,” shares Anderson, who notes that after speaking with an advisor, the dream career he longed for felt well within reach. “I suppose a lot of people doubt themselves. They don't know if they can actually do it. They don't know what classes they would have to take. There are a lot of these barriers that they just have in their own minds.”
At GWCC, Anderson learned from professors and instructors who work in the communities we all call home. The college’s flexible scheduling, knowledgeable faculty and staff, and affordable tuition empowered him to succeed. In 2024, he graduated debt-free with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing. A month after completing the program, he passed the National Council Licensure Examination—also known as the NCLEX—on his first attempt, allowing him to become licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Closing the Workforce Gap
Let’s be real, healthcare is a challenging industry to work in. Between frontline staffing shortages, employee burnout, and the increase in patients seeking immediate care, healthcare professionals, including nurses like Anderson, often feel the pressure.
Since 2022, Arizona has ranked among the top five states with the most significant healthcare staffing shortages. In 2020, there were more than 58,000 RNs employed in the state. According to the Arizona Board of Regents, the state will require an additional 14,000 nurses by 2030 to help close existing labor gaps.
Anderson is proud of the role he’s playing in strengthening Arizona’s workforce. He believes that the beauty of community colleges lies in their ability to assist learners from all walks of life to transition into the local workforce. “I think that's the thing that's special about community colleges; we're not looking to move to some other state in the future. We're educated here, and we stay here.”
An Advocate for Change
Have you ever known someone going through a tough time and wanted to provide support? Well, that’s what Anderson does each day as an RN at Purpose Healing Center, where he works with patients overcoming alcohol and substance use disorders. “I want to be that nurse that makes my patients feel safe,” shares Anderson. He also wants to break the stigma of shame and guilt that are commonly associated with this specific patient population. “We can be the advocates for change. We can be the people that decide what healthcare looks like in Arizona.”
Each person has a unique story—and it’s these stories of the futures his patients hope to build, coupled with his sympathetic awareness, that inspire Anderson. “Every patient is different, and I get to hear their story. I get to listen to them, and it’s something they really appreciate a lot more than you would think.”
Build the Future You Deserve
So what’s next for Anderson? Believe it or not, he’s already returned to GWCC, this time to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN is just one step in a series of steps that might lead him back to a community college—talk about a full-circle moment. But this time, as a teacher, preparing the next generation of nurses. “That's a goal for me, explains Anderson. “Ultimately, I really want to go into teaching, and I really want to teach at the community colleges.”
Anderson serves as a reminder that caring for others goes a long way. He believes that people can do “very difficult things,” leaving us with the simple, yet powerful mantra: “You’d be surprised what you can do.”