COVID-19 Survivor Graduated Nursing School

A former Bakersfield home sales professional has completed nursing school after a severe COVID-19 recovery.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stethoscope resting on a folded nurse's cap, representing a career transition into the medical field. — Lisa Mundy, the first Kern County resident to survive COVID-19, has graduated from nursing school after a three-year program at Stanbridge University. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lisa Mundy has officially graduated from a three-year nursing program at Stanbridge University. The achievement comes years after she became the first Kern County resident to survive COVID-19 following a lengthy period of intubation.

Why it matters

Mundy pursued her nursing degree to honor a personal promise she made while recovering from a critical illness that kept her hospitalized for 50 days.

Mundy spent 50 days hospitalized, including 21 days on a ventilator, before completing her three-year accelerated nursing program. She transitions into this role after two decades in home sales and financing.

The players

Lisa Mundy

She is a Bakersfield resident who previously worked in home sales and financing for two decades.

Stanbridge University

It is an educational institution that offers an accelerated nursing program.

The details

Mundy walked the stage at her graduation ceremony, where she was honored with the Clara Barton Award. She intends to begin her new career in the medical field following her certification.

Mundy was hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2020.
Mundy completed nursing school in October 2026.
Mundy will take her nursing board exams in early November 2026.

Market Landscape

This transition reflects a broader trend of individuals entering the nursing workforce after personal encounters with the healthcare system during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic hospitalization trends. It signals a shift in labor supply as professionals from other industries pivot to clinical roles.

Residents may see an increase in experienced, patient-focused professionals entering the local healthcare market. This change demonstrates how personal medical experiences can influence the recruitment and staffing levels within regional hospitals.

The takeaway

Mundy's journey underscores the impact of personal survival stories on long-term career shifts within the medical industry. Her successful graduation highlights the resilience of those who survived the intensive care requirements of the pandemic.