My Growth Journey as a USF Nurse

When I started my nursing program, I wanted a career centered on helping others, but I didn’t truly understand the meaning of this responsibility at the time. Through rigorous coursework, practical training, and the Jesuit value of “cura personalis,” I began to realize that nursing is not just a profession, but a mission to care for the physical and mental well-being of others.

My Catholic-Jesuit education upbringing has profoundly influenced my ideal of a nurse. From high school through my time at USF, I was immersed in a culture of mutual care that was not only encouraged but taken for granted and integrated into daily life. The brotherhood at my school demonstrated genuine compassion and taught me to go beyond a simple greeting to truly see others through their body language and their unspoken emotions. At USF, I carried these values into my interactions with my classmates. Jesuit education taught me to care deeply, to understand others beyond their outward appearances, and to believe that everyone deserves respect. These teachings naturally apply to my nursing work, where building trust, providing companionship, and focusing on a patient’s overall condition are essential. Nowadays, caring for patients is like caring for friends. It is rooted in empathy, respect, and “cura personalis."

At USF, I faced many unexpected challenges. In the classroom, I learned to think critically and express ideas thoughtfully. In stimulation labs, I experienced the importance of teamwork, precision, and remaining calm under pressure; however, it was during my clinical rotations that I truly grasped the deeper meaning of nursing for people. One experience completely changed the course of my life. A patient who was extremely sensitive to light kept their eyes closed throughout my shift. Surrounded by unfamiliar sounds and unable to see anything, his anxiety was increasing. Since he couldn’t see with his own eyes, I had to become his eyes. In my interactions with the patient, I meticulously explained every movement and sound before they happened. At the end, the patient told me he was very grateful for my guidance. This experience reinforced my earlier belief that compassionate care often shows up in the smallest gestures. I have learned that our most profound impact on patients comes from our presence, words, and the love behind every touch. At that moment, I remembered my motivation for choosing nursing in the beginning, that nursing is not only to provide clinical care, but also to build connections between people and ensure patients feel safe, cared for and valued. Also, self-care plays a vital role in my clinical rotation and daily life because if I can take care of myself easily, I believe I can take care of others just as well.

Being selected as one of the RCN Pathway to Critical Care Nursing Scholarship recipients was a truly shocking experience. While I was writing the application, I didn't feel it was just a task; it also reminded me of why this path meant so much to me and allowed me to truly express the passion I had grown within me over the years. When I recall my time as a student in the ICU, the mentor guided me into this field of intensive care and I felt very excited every time I stepped into the environment. Professionally, this scholarship pushed me to step beyond the bedside and consider how to contribute to improving critical care nursing overall.

Finally, I believe nursing at USF is about uplifting its students. I am very supported by my classmates, my professors, and even people outside the nursing program at USF. I’m thankful for coming into a culture that makes me feel comfortable and willing to learn something that I find invaluable to any institution.