|
| Deanna Trocino, Katelyn Seidel, and Abaigeal O'Neill are picture above, left to right. |
Seidel is currently employed with Spectrum Health in progressive care, which is a step down from the intensive care unit. Trocino is a few floors away from Seidel, working in acute rehabilitation. O'Neill is currently working in the psychiatric unit at Borgess.
Trocino stated that her reason for becoming a nurse was family driven, but she received inspiration from them in a different way. It was a random act of kindness from a stranger helping her father that sparked her desire to start helping people.
“I decided to become a nurse because when my dad had a heart attack, he was on the highway and he pulled over to the side,” Trocino said. “There was a nurse driving behind him and she stopped and she helped him.”
Seidel said that her biggest inspiration to become a nurse came from her mother, along with a job shadowing opportunity provided by a high school counselor. O’Neill said that teaching was her first choice of career path, but chose nursing because she could teach people while helping them at the same time. Her sister gave her the motivation to attend nursing school.
While all three have their own reasons for becoming nurses, something they all have in common is that they credit Western for giving them the excellent education that propelled them into the field and prepared them for what the real world had to offer.
"I think it’s the fact that they showed us all different types of nursing," Seidel said. "From pediatrics to labor and delivery; we even saw hospice and home health nurses. I think they definitely opened the doors to helping us figure out our path."
O'Neill agreed, saying that if Western hadn't pushed her to succeed, she wouldn't be where she is today.
"Western produces really well-rounded nurses," O'Neill said. "I could definitely tell when I was doing orientation with other schools and on the floor that I had a leg up, or knew more than I think a lot of the other nursing schools did. They gave you the opportunity to really find what you like. They push you. So you're prepared to handle anything that comes your way when it comes to nursing.
Trocino said the hands-on approach provided her with great insight into the medical field.
"My most memorable experience was when I saw a C-section. It was so cool!" Trocino said. "I went to Bronson to the labor and delivery unit and this lady was about to go into labor; it was a planned C-section. It happened so opposite from how I thought it would.”
Each alumna said they had a professor that stood out among the rest, which really helped them get through nursing school with a positive outlook. They all cited that Western's hands-on method of teaching as well as an approachable staff was something that encouraged their success.
"Professor (Susan) Nelson was just an amazing teacher," O'Neill said. "She's really hands on, and she was so funny. She wasn't your typical nursing teacher who pretty much just taught from the book; she really brought in her real world experiences. Her teaching really made a difference."
"She was so nice and she actually treated us like adults," Seidel added. "She was open and honest with us. I learned a lot from her."
Trocino said that her professor, Amy Rogers, stood out the most for her, saying it was her approachability that made her such a great professor.
"She's just an awesome teacher," Trocino said. "She helped me out a lot, and she was there in clinical when I needed her."
O'Neill offered some advice for incoming nursing majors, saying that time management is important, and something Western really prepares you for through independent learning. Seidel said that with how busy being a nursing student is, it is important to take time for yourself once in a while. Trocino said that the biggest thing she would suggest is to learn as much as you can and to find opportunities to volunteer.
When it comes to being a nurse, it all boils down to one thing, and Seidel says it all:
"I just want to help people and make a positive impact on their lives."
Posted by Stan Sulewski