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Dan Nielson will be the first to tell you that his inner critic is tough to beat. The 54-year-old veteran, who is graduating this May with a Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree, has battled PTSD and negative self-talk for more than half of his life. Now a clinical lab assistant at Atrium Health in Lincolnton, Nielson persevered through self-defeating hurdles to redefine his medical career.

After working 15 years as an EMT, Nielson experienced an injury that made it impossible for him to continue this type of physical work. The Lincolnton resident obtained a phlebotomy certificate from Gaston Community College during the COVID pandemic and settled into a job as a phlebotomist at Atrium Health. But after a couple of years, he felt restless in that role. “After I drew blood, I was curious about what we were going to do with it. You can look at it and determine a diagnosis. I have always been a puzzle person, and I wanted to analyze (the blood),” he said.

Nielson’s laboratory supervisor encouraged him to look into medical lab technology, and Nielson found 99������Ƶ’s program, which appealed to him for its affordability and online nature. But his inner critic cast doubt.

“I thought, I’m 52. I don’t know if I can do this, especially online,” he said. “Some of these kids have the option of going to class, and if they have a question, they can sit down with their professor. It’s different if you’re learning on Zoom."

Despite his self-doubt, Nielson applied and has successfully completed the online program while juggling life as a dad, phlebotomist, and CPR and First Aid instructor, a side gig he began in 2023.

The online program, he said, has helped him become more disciplined with his time as he’s learned to fit in assignments around other daily duties. The hardest part has been taking courses like microbiology and chemistry online, classes that are hands-on and require sight, sound, touch, and smell. Fortunately, he has been able to do his clinical practicum in the lab where he has worked as a phlebotomist. “You learn by the book and put the knowledge to use hands-on,” he said. “I am a hands-on person. I read it in a book, and I don’t get it. Luckily, I’ve been able to call my teachers and get help."

Now, set to receive his degree in May, Nielson can’t quite believe he’s graduating. “I never thought I was smart enough to get a laboratory job,” he said. “An EMT is black and white. This lab level is more of a gray area that you have to navigate through; it’s more intellectual.”

After taking classes online and missing a previous graduation at Gaston Community College during COVID, Nielson is looking forward to claiming his diploma in person. It's especially meaningful since he is the first in his family to graduate from college. He credits his online instructors for helping him succeed, especially Molly Cothran and Jennifer Picher, who always helped him if he had a question.

For now, Nielson plans to remain in his lab position. “I’m very happy where I am now. I’m working as a clinical lab assistant. I want to become a better technician before I move on.”

These days, Nielsen’s inner critic has thrown in the towel, at least for the time being. He feels a new sense of confidence and can’t wait to share his success with his closest friends. “A lot of friends don’t know I’m doing this program, “he said. “I kept it a secret in case something went wrong. I didn’t want the patronizing 'Oh, that’s too bad!' Now, I’m letting the cat out of the bag: I’ve been doing this for two years. I’m graduating!”