Mesa family has four generations in nursing
Jul 24, 2026
As the health care industry faces local and national workforce shortages, a Mesa family offers a powerful reminder of what has always been at the heart of the profession: care, compassion, and commitment.
For the Israel family, nursing is more than a career; it is a calling passed across five generations, the youngest of whom is currently studying nursing.
Neriyah Israel, a career and technical education nursing instructor at Insight Academy of Arizona, represents the fourth generation of nurses in her family who have dedicated their lives to caring for others.
After nearly two decades in the field as a nursing assistant, medical assistant, and licensed practical nurse, Neriyah joined ISAZ in 2023 to help build its nursing program.
ISAZ is a tuition-free online K-12 school that also provides access to hands-on career pathways.
For Neriyah, the decision to teach was not just a career move, but an opportunity to connect with students at a time when the need for skilled, compassionate health care professionals continues to grow.
Her daughter, Sarah, is a 2024 graduate of ISAZ’s medical assisting program and is already working in the health care field while pursuing a nursing degree.
“Health care offers so much room for growth,” Neriyah said. “I want my students to understand that no matter where they start, they have the ability to build a future where they can truly make a difference.”
In her courses, Neriyah teaches students not only technical skills, but also emphasizes empathy, communication, and confidence alongside clinical knowledge.
“These are crucial lessons for her students, many of whom plan to enter the workforce directly after graduation,” noted a school spokeswoman.
This year, 18 of her students are expected to complete the nursing pathway, with many continuing into nursing, pre-med, and other health care careers.
Upon completing the ISAZ nursing program, students can earn their certified nursing assistant certification, with the option to pursue additional licensure if they choose.
“This opportunity is especially valuable as communities continue to face shortages in the medical field,” the spokeswoman said.
“Neriyah’s classroom reflects the realities of modern medicine: high demand, rapid changes, and the need for adaptability,” she said. “But it also reflects a deeper belief that the next generation must be equipped not just to enter the workforce, but to strengthen it.”
Sarah added, “I always said I wanted to be a lawyer, but my dad would tell me it was in my blood to go into nursing
“At the time I didn’t believe him, but once I joined the medical assisting pathway at Insight Academy of Arizona, I fell in love with it. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
During National Nurses Month in May, Neriyah and Sarah’s stories served as a reminder “that the impact of nurses extends far beyond hospitals and clinics,” the spokeswoman said, adding:
“It lives in classrooms, communities, and families who continue to answer the call to care for others.”