Quincey Alexzandra Clayton’s story reads like a testament to perseverance, faith, and family strength.
As a little girl, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Quincey proudly answered “a princess.” As she got older, her dreams shifted to becoming a veterinarian or a pharmacist. But by the time she graduated from Forest High School in 2017 on Jacksonville’s Westside, she felt a new calling—nursing.
Her journey began with prerequisite courses at FSCJ and Fortis College. Life, however, had other plans. When her mother was injured in an accident, Quincey—while still a full‑time student—became her caregiver. She worked various part‑time jobs, believing the setback would be temporary, and kept pushing toward her goal.
Determined to continue her education, she drove across the state to attend Gainesville College of Nursing. Four days a week, she traveled two hours for clinicals at Ayers Rehabilitation Center. The long days took a toll. “One day I was pulled over by the cops and almost fell asleep. Thank God the state trooper let me off with a warning,” she recalled. Even then, she never lost faith.
With the support of her family and her belief in a higher power, Quincey reached the finish line. She is now Quincey Alexzandra Clayton, R.N.