Second Degree Accelerated Program Student
What inspired you to become a nurse?
I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, where poverty rates are sky high and quality healthcare is limited for many. Growing up, I saw how people in my community, many of them my own friends and family, struggled to advocate for the care they desperately needed. This experience really opened my eyes to several healthcare disparities, which has been the foundation of my motivation to pursue my nursing degree. I would love to be someone who helps bridge the gap in this access, especially in underserved communities.
What is the best thing about Mount Carmel College of Nursing?
The first thing I talk about when mentioning Mount Carmel is the instructors. This will be my third university and third degree, but Mount Carmel is the first institution where I can honestly say everyone here wants their students to succeed.
What are your goals for your nursing career?
My goal is to provide compassionate care to patients who might otherwise be overlooked, to hopefully make a meaningful difference in communities like my own. After a couple years, I then plan to further my education and enter either an NP or CRNA program.
What advice would you give your younger self?
There is a quote that has really stuck with me, especially in times when things have not been going my way. The quote reads, "Sometimes when you're in a dark place, and you think you've been buried, but actually, you have been planted." I think that quote is just a really nice way to say everything happens for a reason, learn from it, and keep pushing forward.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in nursing?
Nursing is a profession where you must be fully committed. You cannot have one foot in the door and the other at the neighbor's house. The one thing I highly recommend to anyone thinking of pursing nursing is to start working in healthcare in some capacity to gain some experience. Being an aide in a nursing home, memory care unit, or hospital are some examples where students have gained amazing experience and found their future calling in nursing.