Why did you choose to complete your degree at OHIO Lancaster?
Affordability has always been super important to me. Personally, I pay for 100% of my schooling, so being able to graduate with my nursing degree debt free is ideal. Ohio University Lancaster has made it possible to achieve this goal while offering other great perks. The sense of community is amazing. In the classroom setting, I feel like I benefit from the smaller class sizes. This offers more one-on-one help from professor to student. This has also made it easy to develop relationships with my nursing peers. On top of all of this, I live and work locally, so being able to go to school in Lancaster has been a true blessing.
How has your professor(s) or field placement colleague(s) made an impact on your life?
After my first two years at OHIO Lancaster, I can easily say that each professor has been super knowledgeable in their realm of teaching. More specifically, the nursing professors at OHIO Lancaster have been incredibly special to my education. I am confident the new nursing program will continue to impact students in the future as the program grows. The professors are encouraging. They are super intelligent and full of practical experience. They make class a fun time. They care about each of our successes. They take the time to get to know each of us. They teach us how to provide safe and therapeutic care to our patients. I could not have asked for better teachers to be the foundation of this program. In my first year of the nursing curriculum, I have learned numerous skills and medications, I have stressed over many exams, I have spent several hours of my free time studying. But most importantly, I have worked hard, and I have learned to apply my knowledge to my bedside care with patients. I believe the impact this program has installed in me will transition to an impact on my future patients.
What inspired you to pursue becoming a nurse?
In high school, I became involved in several community service projects. Through these projects, I was able to connect with strangers and help them in various ways. The joy that comes from serving people is unmatched to any joy I could receive on my own. This joy was the source of my drive to continue serving people for the rest of my life. In nursing, you serve people every shift. You may see people struggling in their worst moments while fighting an illness. Or you may see people experiencing their best moments while welcoming a new baby. Being able to help people in both of these life experiences is something that I believe will be fulfilling for my own life. Nursing is not an easy profession, but it is one of the most important ones. I believe nurses are heroes to our communities and I cannot wait to begin.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I see myself working as an experienced nurse at a local hospital. In my nursing career, I want to take my time in each field or workplace I am placed in. There is always something to be learned, so I do not want my time spent at my first nursing job to be rushed. Nursing offers so much versatility when it comes to specialties and advanced degrees. To be honest, I am still trying to figure out what specialty is my end goal but I do favor the cardiac specialty. In five years, I hope to have a better idea of what being a nurse entails. I also hope to be married, living in my first home, and traveling to new places when I am not working. These are just a couple of my personal goals that I would be happy to reach by that time. Overall, I hope to feel established and like a true adult. I cannot wait to see what the future holds and what nursing path I will choose.
