The accomplishments of our FSCJ alumni spread far across the globe.

Image: Justine Forrest

Travel nurse Ashley Jones recently embarked on an eight-week stint more than 9,000 miles away from home, utilizing her skills to help others in need. From January 3 to February 27, the Jacksonville native volunteered with Mercy Ships in Madagascar, working on a hospital ship as a ward and post-operative nurse on the Africa Mercy.

She joined a team of more than 400 international volunteers including fellow nurses, surgeons, physical therapists and maritime professionals. Sponsored by Travel Nurses of America, Ashley was able to dedicate her time to assist those in a region where there are only 2.5 physicians per 10,000 people.

“It’s so hard to put into words all the emotions that come with experiences such as this,” she said. “I have been blessed by having numerous people who helped mold and shape me …. So for me, this is my way of giving back.”

In 2010, Ashley earned her Associate in Science (A.S.) in Nursing at FSCJ before pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Jacksonville University. Since 2011, she has worked at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside, and has served in locations including St. Petersburg; Richmond, Virginia; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Tacoma, Washington. Between her travel assignments, Ashley comes back to Jacksonville to continue her work at St. Vincent’s and spend time with family.