Former Nursing Student Advances in Career and Launches Local Business

LaToya McCurdy loves being a nurse practitioner. “I love my profession because the positions and roles are multifaceted,” she said. “Nursing is a broad career field and there are endless opportunities to learn, gain new skills, and grow.”

McCurdy attended Rocky Mount High School and Nash Community College as a dual-enrolled high school student. “I became familiar with the staff, students, and instructors at Nash,” she said. “Everyone was genuinely invested in my education and success, and I loved the learning environment and affordability.”

McCurdy received the William C. and Janet F. Cooper Nursing Scholarship and earned acceptance into the NCC Associate Degree Nursing program immediately after graduating from high school. “I’m glad I chose Nash because it provided the academic foundation I needed to further my education and career. I obtained my strong clinical skills from NCC’s Nursing program.”

She warmly remembers the support she received from her instructors. “With that foundation, I continued my education while furthering my career,” she said. “My nursing instructor and counselor at the time, Dr. Lorie Sigmon, made a huge impact on my life,” she continued. “While in the nursing program, my two-year-old faced a medical diagnosis requiring multiple doctor visits. I was overwhelmed and on the brink of withdrawing from nursing school. Dr. Sigmon provided the encouragement I needed to stick it out and graduate.”

In May 2010, McCurdy graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Chamberlain College. She later relocated to DC, where she attended George Washington University earning a Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practice.

With her roots in eastern NC, McCurdy returned to Rocky Mount. She became board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and joined Dr. Daniel L. Crocker at Eastern NC Medical Group.

“As a novice Nurse Practitioner, I gained valuable experience, knowledge, and skills. At Eastern NC Medical Group, I’ve worked in primary care, family and internal medicine, acute care, long-term acute care, pulmonary critical care, and long-term care.”

McCurdy practices Family Medicine in the only solo provider office within the medical group. She was recently recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners for her contributions, dedication, and commitment to the nursing profession during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being a health care provider during the pandemic has been extremely challenging both physically and mentally. I work countless hours, sacrificing time with my family, to care for my patients, their families, and the communities I serve.”

“I have faith that with God’s help, I will come out on the other side of the pandemic humbled, stronger and wiser than I was before. Health care providers are resilient, and our passion to care for those in need continues to prevail over the daily challenges we face in health care during these unprecedented times.”

In 2020, McCurdy enrolled in East Carolina University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. She expects to graduate next summer. While studying in the doctoral program, she also returned to NCC for guidance from the Small Business Center. “With the help of the Center, my ultimate career goal of opening my own practice is now a reality.” McCurdy participated in the Small Business Center’s Launch Rocky Mount 10-week business training and received a $500 micro-grant through the program.

Her new business, NUTRADRiP IV Hydration and Wellness Clinic, PLLC, will open later this month. It is the first and only IV hydration and wellness practice in Rocky Mount. The practice provides safe, innovative, and exclusive patient-centered IV vitamin hydration therapy. NUTRADRiP provides customized blends of essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants delivered directly into the bloodstream to promote overall health and wellness.

“I am most proud of seeing the lives I touch, and the patients I care for have positive outcomes,” she said.

For more information regarding LaToya McCurdy’s IV hydration and wellness practice, visit www.nutradriphydration.com.