“I believe I was destined to be a nurse,” says Registered Nurse and DCI Little Rock Renal Services Patient Treva Valley from Little Rock, Ark. “I still have to pinch myself. I’m in disbelief that I’m the nurse walking around and not the patient in the hospital bed.”
With medical challenges beginning when she was young, Treva’s drawn upon her experiences to push herself to achieve her life goals.
When Treva was five years old and went to a normal checkup, her parents learned her native kidneys were losing function. As her immune system continued to attack her kidneys, she eventually needed peritoneal dialysis and her parents learned how to care for her medical needs. In 2002, when she was 10, Treva received a kidney transplant, and the kidney lasted 17 years.
She also battled leukemia, underwent treatment and has been in remission since 2018. In addition to her medical hardships, Treva and her parents lost her sister Neco to COVID-19 in 2022.
For the past six years, hemodialysis has been part of Treva’s life, and she spends nearly four hours, three days a week, at DCI Little Rock Renal Services. She hopes to receive another kidney transplant in the future and is starting the process.
“I’ve had a bad health report,” Treva said. “On the other end, it’s a good experience, I’m able to live my dream and have that experience and feel what the patients are going through.”
The 33-year-old graduated in May 2024 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as a registered nurse and has been working nights fulltime on the stem cell transplant floor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). She’s participating in the new graduate RN residency program, receiving mentoring, support and education during her first year of nursing to boost her knowledge and skills.
Throughout her adversity, Treva’s actively focused on finding joy and draws strength from those around her to persevere. Angela, one of her childhood dialysis nurses, and family and friends close to her inspired her career choice. Her DCI dialysis nurses have encouraged her throughout nursing school, adjusted treatments based on class demands and celebrated her graduation with her.
“After so long, we’ve all just become like a family,” Treva said of her DCI care team. “Over the years, they’ve seen me so sick, in the hospital and ICU and having so much fluid. Seeing me now, it’s really become full circle.”
“The nurses at DCI are so inspiring and motivate me when I have my dialysis treatments,” she said. “I may be tired or feel exhausted or a little down, and they are able to pick me up. They’ve poured into me and into my journey. They make sure that I’m doing what I need to take care of myself – to maintain my health and wellness.”
Treva’s story and success inspire those around her, especially her Little Rock Renal Services care team.
“She is very determined at living life to the fullest,” said Miriam, Registered Nurse. “When the staff at DCI Little Rock found out she was going to attend nursing school, we were completely overjoyed. We assured her, ‘We are here to support you to succeed.’ She gives me such inspiration watching her succeed, despite everything her body has to go through.”
Little Rock Renal Services Registered Nurse MiYoung said, “All of our staff rallied behind her, offering support in many ways—from encouragement to helping her with accommodation needs. Her courage inspired us all. She has turned her pain into purpose and now stands as a beacon of hope for others. We are so proud of her.”
“When I see Miss Treva, I see resilience,” said Little Rock Renal Services Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician Tina. “We all face trauma, adversity and other stresses. Here’s a roadmap for adapting to life-changing situations and emerging even stronger than before.”
“Ms. Valley is a very strong young lady who has fought multiple medical adversities since she was a teenager and has proven that her determination has made her achieve her dream of becoming a nurse,” said Treva’s Nephrologist Dr. Nithin Karakala, DCI Medical Director, UAMS Professor of Nephrology, Associate Professor of Medicine, Nephrology Fellowship Program Director and Medical Director, Acute Dialysis Unit. “Valley is a true real-life superhero.”
As she continues her nursing career, Treva will carry her experiences into her patient interactions. “My health journey has impacted my nursing career by having the insight and different perspective of being a patient,” she said. “I can definitely empathize because I’ve been on the other side of that stethoscope so many times. I can center my patient care to help the patient more.”
Gaining much support from her parents throughout her life, she looks to reciprocate their care now that she’s a nurse. She’s also determined to become a homeowner as she builds her career.
Overcoming her challenges and building upon her success, Treva’s determined to share her story to encourage others. “I just want to be an inspiration,” Treva said. “It doesn’t matter the deck of cards that you’re dealt, as long as you’re not suffering or you keep that positive attitude, you can accomplish anything.”