Alumni Association Spotlight: Erin Griswold
Erin Griswold
“I have always wanted to work in the medical field, and I have always enjoyed helping others,” Erin Griswold of Nashville, NC said. “When I became involved in sports during high school, I knew I wanted to have a career that involved exercise and healthcare. Physical therapy seemed to fill that desire.”
Erin graduated from Southern Nash High School in 2008 and enrolled at Nash Community College to pursue her Physical Therapist Assistant degree.
“I chose Nash because of its affordability, smaller class sizes and excellent Physical Therapist Assistant program,” she said. “The faculty and staff made sure I was on the right path to success at NCC and helped me reach my goals. My classmates and faculty, whom I remain in contact with today, became very close… almost like family,” Erin said. “Everyone at NCC was willing to help and support one another. We were able to have a good time in the program while still learning and developing skills for physical therapy.”
“Nash Community College’s program really emphasized real-world scenarios and taught us how to use clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills to make sound decisions,” she recalls. “These skills are necessary in the healthcare field.
Since 2013, Erin has been employed at Manual Physical Therapy, Inc. in Rocky Mount as a physical therapist assistant. “It is a rewarding field, but you must be willing to work hard, put in the effort and dedicate yourself to continuous learning,” she said. While working, Erin continued her education at Arizona State University graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Science degree. She is a certified Clinical Instructor and earned her certification in Scientific Therapeutic Exercise Progression (C-STEP) from the Ola Grimsby Institute.
“NCC prepared me to jumpstart my career as a physical therapist assistant, but my continued education has really made me grow into the clinician I am today.”
In the nearly nine years that Erin has been a physical therapist assistant, she has worked in pediatrics, aquatics, outpatient orthopedics and a skilled nursing facility. She has trained in manual therapy techniques, various taping techniques and vestibular rehabilitation.
“Helping others just brings joy to my life,” she said. “I feel people need to know there is someone out there who cares about them, especially now more than ever. People need to know that there are still good-hearted people in the world who are willing to help them, care for them and listen to them. Working in this field allows me to be that person for patients from all walks of life.”
“I am glad I chose Nash because it helped me to gain the knowledge and skills I needed to move into the healthcare field quickly.”
