Annette Anderson is a Registered Nurse, entrepreneur, speaker, and the visionary Founder of 1st Step Healthcare Training in Detroit, Michigan. A proud homeowner on the west side of Detroit and a champion for underserved communities, Annette has built more than a school — she has built a movement.
Her journey did not begin with privilege. Annette grew up in poverty, moving more than eight times before the age of 18, often in homes plagued by instability and hardship. She became a mother at 16 and dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. But what could have been the end of her story became the beginning of her purpose. Determined to rewrite her narrative, she earned her GED, became a Certified Nursing Assistant, and eventually a Registered Nurse.
After seven years in nursing, Annette recognized a painful truth: many people — especially people of color and young mothers — lacked access to affordable, supportive pathways into healthcare careers. So she created one.
In January 2024, she officially opened the doors to 1st Step Healthcare Training, an accelerated healthcare training institution committed to breaking barriers. Her school offers fast-track programs such as CNA, Phlebotomy, and EKG Technician training — with mentorship, mindset coaching, and job placement support built into the experience. Annette even provides free education to one to two students each month because she understands firsthand that finances should never block destiny.
Under her leadership, the school has trained hundreds of students, celebrated dozens of graduating cohorts, and achieved an impressive state exam pass rate. She has received the Motor City Match award, been featured in Voyage Magazine, and has appeared on local news outlets for her impact in the Detroit community.
Annette is not only an educator — she is a mentor. Each morning, she pours into her students with motivation, reminding them that their past does not define their future. Her long-term vision includes expanding into additional medical programs, launching an LPN pathway, building multiple healthcare training campuses, and becoming one of the most influential healthcare educators in the country.
Through resilience, faith, and relentless ambition, Annette Anderson continues to transform pain into power — and classrooms into launching pads for generational change.
Annette Anderson, RN, Founder
313-385-3307
info@firststephealthcaretraining.com
www.firststephealthcaretraining.com
