Why did you choose to attend Carroll University?
I chose to attend Carroll University because of how welcoming and friendly the campus is. I also knew Carroll had an amazing nursing program and fell in love with it the second I toured here. There are so many opportunities to get involved on campus, make new friends, and experience new things.
What made you choose your academic major or area of study?
I've had a passion to help others. I believe that this career path is a lifestyle, and I have been ready to live every second of it. Being able to help others gives me an accomplished feeling and I feel good to have made an impact on someone else's life.
How has what you’ve learned prepared you for your future?
I have learned a lot within the nursing program and through the other classes I've taken on campus. The nursing program has really helped me solidify which path in nursing I want to take and how to achieve that goal. I feel very confident with skills and communication/delegations with other students and the nurses at clinical sites because of the simulation labs we have each week. The emphasis on bed-side manners, having good rapport with patients and their families, communication with the patients/families and the healthcare team, and preparation with skills are just a few key aspects I have been able to learn and grow in as the instructors are very passionate about our learning. I overall, feel very prepared for graduation and the next steps after!
What opportunities have you had to work closely with a faculty member and what impact has that had on your education?
I've had many opportunities to work with faculty one on one. Freshman year, I was recruited to be my Nursing class representative. I really enjoy this position as I am able to be an advocate and voice for people and their concerns. I work one-on-one with a faculty liaison to communicate any concerns or feedback, talk through possible solutions and relay this information to the rest of the nursing faculty. I also have had the opportunity of being on the board for the Student Nurses Association on campus! I have had the privilege of being the Vice President my sophomore year and am the current President for junior and senior year! It has been an amazing opportunity to work with other board members, other organizations, volunteer committees, and our SNA advisor. I have worked one-on-one with our advisor on many occasions, setting up volunteers for open houses, meetings for the board, etc. Having these opportunities to work with the faculty has helped me grow in being a leader, organization within my courses and prioritization between clubs, coursework and representative duties.
What’s one unique experience you’ve had relating to the coursework for your academic major or area of study?
A unique experience I have had related to coursework would have to be when I was in clinical and had a patient who had been experiencing expressive aphasia. This was unique for me because there was a communication barrier, and I had to quickly pick up on the patient's cues for pain, discomfort, being content, etc. I was also able to successfully administer medications, a subcutaneous injection, and IV medications while providing education. I allowed time for the patient to take in the information and let me know any concerns. I learned that with expressive aphasia or any type of communication barrier, patience is very important as patients will get frustrated and upset about the communication barrier. I had the opportunity to comfort my patient and take things as slow as they needed to feel heard.
How has Carroll enriched your growth as a person outside of the skills you’re learning in the classroom?
I have learned how to be a leader and my confidence within the field has grown immensely. I have developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion, which has helped my personal relationships grow. I have also learned to be resilient in tough situations and have been able to handle my stress and personal challenges a lot easier! My critical thinking skills have also grown as I am able to assess a situation, think of all the possible outcomes, and create solutions to each problem. There are many other skills and traits I have learned or grown in because of Carroll's classes, these are just a few of many important ones!
