Between working as a real estate agent for Divine Realty and a nurse in Vaughan Regional Medical Center’s Labor and Delivery unit, it’s hard to imagine that Courtney Carter, 37, has time for anything else, but the mother of two somehow finds time to do volunteer work in the community and do the things she enjoys doing most.

In her duties as a nurse, Carter is responsible for assessing and addressing women’s health issues, including reproductive health, family planning, postpartum care, antenatal obstetrical care and more.

“I love being able to care for my patients’ needs and see them get better,” Carter said. “I love taking care of people.The ability to be able to first listen then care for my patients gives me the most satisfaction. That is the reason why God placed me here; this is my purpose.”

Carter has been working as a nurse on an as-needed basis at Vaughan Regional for the last four years.

As a real estate salesperson, a job she has held for 10 years, Carter provides assistance for every aspect of the home buying process, including showing properties, drawing up contracts, assisting clients with finding suitable financing options and more.

“I love being able to see my clients’ dreams of homeownership become reality,” Carter said.

Carter, who is currently pursuing a doctorate of nursing, earned her associate’s degree at Wallace Community College – Selma before earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Phoenix and her master’s degree at Walden University.

As if the schedule between mother of two – son, Corbin, and daughter, Camryn – doctoral student, nurse and real estate agent weren’t enough, Carter also finds time to be involved elsewhere in the community.

“I enjoy interacting with the youth of Selma,” Carter said. “As a former educator in the public school system, I had the pleasure of working with the youth daily. I relaunched the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program at Selma High School. I had the opportunity to train some very smart students who were able to pass their CNA exams on their first try and become employed in the workforce.”

Today, she still trains students in the CNA program, while also providing education to the community on STD prevention and raising fund for Relay for Life and to fight breast cancer.

When asked her greatest inspirations in life, Carter points to three people – her mother, Jessica Carter, long-time Dallas County nurse Vera J. Booker and her first-born child, Corbin.

The person that has had the biggest influence on me is my mother,” Carter said. “She has always supported me with whatever I have set out to accomplish. The next person that influenced me to become a nurse is Mrs. Vera J. Booker. She is my grandmother whom I adopted as a child. She was a great nurse that serviced the people of Dallas and surrounding counties for many years. Lastly, my first-born child is my last influence. He was the motivating factor to become something in life so that I could be a great example and provider for him.”