Spring ‘26: Family’s nursing dreams come full circle
When Ariana Moore took one of her final nursing classes at The University of Texas at Arlington, she unknowingly stepped into a story with roots planted years earlier.
Her professor, Veronica King, had taught Ariana’s mother, Rosalina Moore, at Central Texas College in 2017. That same year, Dr. King was interviewed by Ariana—then an eighth grader—for a school project on healthcare careers.
“When I saw Professor King’s name on my daughter’s pinning ceremony information, I thought it was amazing. I remember thinking, ‘circle of life,’” Rosalina said. “What are the odds?”
That connection comes full circle on Sunday, when Ariana graduates cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She follows in the footsteps of her mother, who completed the RN-to-BSN program at UTA in December 2021.
“I chose UTA because I knew it was one of the best nursing programs in Texas,” Ariana said. “The last four years have flown by—the days were long, but the weeks were short—and now I’m ready to find what I love and become the best nurse I can be.”
“I’m incredibly proud of my daughter,” Rosalina added. “I’m a first generation college graduate, and when she chose UTA, she didn’t even look at other universities. We visited campus, and she said, ‘This is where I want to go.’ Knowing she looked up to me that way, and wanted to go to the same nursing program, means everything.”
King will be soaking in the moment, too. She’s spent more than two decades working as a registered nurse—starting in labor and delivery—and now shares her experience with the next generation.
Related: Spring ’26: UTA grads balance PhDs & a toddler
King recalled teaching Rosalina at Central Texas College in Killeen. A nontraditional student, Rosalina pursued nursing after serving in the U.S. Army, bringing a level of drive and dedication that left a lasting impression.
“She wasn’t pursuing nursing because it was easy—she did it because it was her dream,” King said. “She came into nursing later in life, after raising a family, and that takes an incredible amount of heart and perseverance. Watching her grow into the role of a nurse was truly a privilege.”
King noticed similar traits when Ariana took her class this semester.
“I could recognize the same passion and determination I had seen in her mom,” King said. “It almost felt like a family trait.”
Today, that passion is benefiting patients. Rosalina works as a registered nurse at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Central Texas, caring primarily for older adults. Ariana recently accepted a position in a labor and delivery unit at a hospital in north Fort Worth.
“Nursing is a work of heart,” Ariana said. “No matter the specialty, nurses help people through some of the most important moments of their lives. I want to work in labor and delivery, where you’re part of bringing life into the world. Those moments stay with patients forever.”
The family’s story highlights UTA’s commitment as a leader in nursing education, from passionate faculty to driven students to successful alumni. The University has awarded approximately 12,700 bachelor’s degrees in nursing since 2021, including more than 1,000 anticipated this spring.
With Texas projected to face a shortfall of more than 57,000 full-time registered nurses by 2032, according to the Texas Hospital Association, UTA remains committed to preparing the next generation of nurses. And nobody tells the UTA nursing story better than the graduates.
“It really sets you up for success,” Rosalina said.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.