A connection beyond shared coursework
Alberthy and Estrella Carretero begin each day grounded in something deeper than shared coursework. They are brother and sister, confidants, and steady witnesses to each other’s growth through ambition, faith, hardship and life.
Born just over a year apart in Fort Worth, the siblings have always been close, and though today they sit in the same Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort, their journeys to this moment unfolded differently. Estrella knew she wanted to be a nurse from a young age, but Alberthy had other plans.
“I wanted to be an engineer and work in Lockheed Martin,” he said.
Alberthy and Estrella are two of six children raised in a family grounded in perseverance and hard work. They credit that upbringing with shaping their sense of responsibility and drive. “Our parents’ sacrifices are a big part of what pushes us every day to be good in school,” Estrella said. The entire family faced a sudden, devastating loss when their older sister died in a car accident.
Alberthy’s grief was especially profound and became the catalyst for his decision to enter this new profession.
“It was like a higher power, kind of, just pushing me into that direction, versus
designing jets,” he said. “I could spend my entire life just wondering why. Why? Why
did this happen? And feeling bad for myself, but I chose to use it to fuel my passion
and desire to pursue nursing.”
Estrella’s drive to become a nurse grew from experiences at home. She often cared for younger children, learning to support those around her. Later, she noticed how her parents were treated during medical visits.
“Instead of using translators, the nurses or doctors would just take the shorter route and ask if I could tell them something in Spanish,” she said. “I realized I wanted to help people, and do it the right way, so that communities like mine could feel understood and cared for.”
She plans to become certified in medical Spanish to ensure her patients receive accurate and compassionate care.
Alberthy and Estrella recognized UNT Health Fort Worth as the right place to grow as nurses. Estrella appreciated that the organization’s values aligned with her own, and Alberthy emphasized the program’s accessibility and quality.
“I brag to everyone that I am in the first cohort of this new program. It is the absolute best education I could have hoped for,” he said.
The small cohort size and supportive faculty drew their praise as well. “You are not
seen as a number. The professors care about you and support you through the program,”
Estrella said
Alberthy echoed the sentiment, “It really feels like a family… everyone looks out for each other.”
Attending school together has been both an emotional and practical advantage. “It has been a blessing. Watching her grow and become the young professional she is now has been incredible,” Aberthy said. Estrella reflected the same gratitude. “It is good to have a little best friend locked in with me in school and in life.”
Alberthy and Estrella are eager to carry their education into practice. “I can speak for both me and my brother… we are very thankful and very proud to be in this program… and we just want to really stand out