MADISON – Ashley Jordan, Kyle McCormick, Claire Miville and Nikki Owens from James Clemens High School have earned early admission into nursing school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In addition, Jordan, McCormick and Miville received the UAB Blazer Breakthrough Scholarship. Owens claimed UAB’s Collegiate Honors Scholarship.

To qualify for early admission, a student must have high-ranking GPA and ACT score. If accepted, students can complete basic courses in the first two years and then automatically have a seat in nursing school, Jordan said.

Jordan has been fascinated her entire life “with medicine and the act of taking care of others,” she said. “The feeling you get when you help someone is irreplaceable. I couldn’t see myself going into any other field besides this one.”

“My goal is to land a job in the Birmingham area and work in one of their hospitals for a few years … maybe travel nursing after so I can see the world,” Jordan said.

Ashley’s parents are Michael and Susan Jordan.

For McCormick’s early-acceptance path, he built high academics, pursued service in extracurricular clubs and volunteered at Madison Hospital.

He decided on a medical career after having a surgery a few years ago. “That humbled me to how important nurses are. I can’t think of a better way I’m supposed to help people with the knowledge and abilities I have,” McCormick said.

McCormick plans to return to UAB for a master’s degree and pursue a career in nursing, eventually gaining a specialty in neonatal intensive care.

Kyle’s parents are Paul and Dr. Julie Finley.

Miville credits James Clemens Medical Academy in helping her grow tremendously. “All instructors were very encouraging (and) were a huge part of my getting accepted in UAB’s program.”

In medicine, Miville wants “to make people smile again, because they feel better and aren’t sick or in pain,” she said. “I want everybody to feel happy and well.”

Working in her church nursery showed Miville “how much I love helping people. I’ve known for years that I wanted to be a nurse.”

Miville wants a master’s degree in nursing and then train as a nurse practitioner. “After graduation, I hope to move to a big city like Boston or New York and work in a major trauma center.”

Claire’s parents are Phillip and Kristin Miville.

Owens received the UAB Collegiate Honors Scholarship. She is entering the field because she wants “to have the reassurance that I can help someone in a medical emergency.”

“I plan to attend for four years to obtain my nursing degree. My goals after graduation include working as a possible neonatal or pediatric nurse,” Owens said.

Nikki’s parents are David and Monica Owens.

Jordan Lindquist achieved similar honors at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.