Why did you choose this program at Carroll?
I was born and raised in Milwaukee. I am Hispanic and bilingual, and love to help those in my Hispanic community. One of the main reasons I want to be a nurse is because I want to wake up every day knowing that I helped someone feel and get better, especially people in the community I live in. What better way to accomplish this, than to attend a school on the south side of Milwaukee where I constantly see those who need my help. I love that Carroll's ADN program is located at St. Augustine Preparatory High School, a predominantly Hispanic School. I hope to encourage those in high school to want to work in the health care field and help people in their own community. I am passionate about giving back to where I came from, and Carroll's ADN program helps me with exactly that. I am also so grateful that I will be able to become an RN within two years. This program really pushes us to work hard and give it our all within the two years we are in school. I also love that this program allows you to have a great deal of one-on-one time with our professors. Each year the program only has 24 open seats. The small cohort size creates a family bond, and I can honestly say we are all one big family. We help each other succeed and we are each other's support systems.
What are your career aspirations?
My career aspirations are to become a nurse that is always known as the nurse who went the extra mile and did whatever it took to make a patient smile and feel loved and cared for. I will advocate for my patients and come to work every day ready to provide the best quality care. I hope to inspire those around me to join the healthcare industry and help those in need. The percentage of Hispanic nurses in the US is currently only 8.8%. My goal is to inspire more Hispanic nurses and help be a part of that growing number.
Can you share an example of faculty member/an opportunity that has challenged you in a way that makes you feel prepared for pursuing your career?
My current semester in the ADN program has been the most challenging for me, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle it all. I am taking pathophysiology, pharmacology and med-surg, along with clinicals at St. Luke's Hospital. But every single one of my professors have been there supporting me. I thank Dr. Magestro, Professor Thompson and Professor Hoppe for pushing and motivating me to give it my all every day in class. I know without a doubt that learning from them and their experiences I will be well prepared in my future nursing career.
How has Carroll enriched your growth as a person?
Carroll is academically very challenging especially in the nursing department. I am grateful for Carroll's challenging curriculum because I know I am attending a college that is preparing me to work in a professional hospital environment. Carroll has a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX exam and is the best college for nursing in the state of Wisconsin for a reason. Getting to attend Carroll University is a blessing. I am motivated and strive to be better student academically and personally daily.
What is the most memorable experience you've had in your education at Carroll?
My most memorable experience I have had at Carroll has to be being a part of the graduation and pinning ceremony for the very first cohort for the ADN program. I was able to have the honor of handing the graduates a flower when they stepped up to get their pins. I was in tears handing them all their flowers because I saw in their eyes how much all of their hard work meant to them. In this moment, seeing them graduate, I felt motivated and inspired to not give up. Hearing them share the amount of sacrifices and discipline it takes to be successful in the nursing school was really eye opening and touched my heart. That was an experience I will remember for a lifetime.
What would you say to someone who is considering enrolling at Carroll?
Why aren't you enrolled already? This is an amazing university! I would share with them that Carroll challenges you on a day-to-day basis to be the best version of yourself, and pushes you to learn something new each day. I would share this quote, "The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow". I would share that Carroll University wants all their students to succeed!
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