Caroline Regan

These are two crucial attributes, among many, that a nurse should possess.  My medical education and training will provide a set of skills that will foster patients’ rehabilitation and recuperation from physical illness.  Another dynamic ability within nursing is to cultivate an attitude of optimism and motivation for patients and their families. My hope in going into this field is to become proficient in these integral tasks.

I came to the realization that nursing was my calling during one of my summer volunteer opportunities.  For the last two summers I had the privilege of joining a very devoted group of physicians and nurses in Browning, Montana.  This group of accomplished volunteers dedicates their time and services to the Blackfoot Indians on their Reservation on a biannual basis.  The Blackfeet are a group of underserved individuals, as they suffer from widespread poverty, social maladies, and physical illnesses.  The volunteers are able to provide preventative health care and tertiary services to this well-deserved population.  The experience of speaking with the patients, gathering pertinent medical information, and observing surgeries first-hand was what sparked my interest in nursing. I was able to learn from the nurses about maintaining a sterile environment, cleaning instruments, and prepping for surgery. I realized, as I was looking over the shoulder of the anesthesiologist as he intubated the patient, that I had never been so curious in a particular field. I wanted to get my hands on anything I could and learn as much as possible.  This passion for learning and engaging myself in a discipline inspired my pursuit in nursing.

Soon after my first trip to Browning, I began working as a home health liaison at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Working as a liaison helped me gain knowledge of the practicalities of nursing.  It promoted my communications skills with many diverse populations of all ages, genders, religions, and races. I feel the most valuable tool I took away from this experience was learning how to enhance my interactions with patients, their families and medical staff on a daily basis. Over the last few years I have reflected on nursing as a career. I believe that I will excel at my job because of my experiences and fervor for this area of work.

Despite my ability to complete my bachelor’s degree in four years while simultaneously working a part-time job, I knew not to expect to have the same amount of free time during my new accelerated nursing program to generate income.  The Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing scholarship allowed me to concentrate on my studies as a student and helped me devote all of my time to exceeding the expectations set by the Loyola School of Nursing.
Having been Jesuit-educated, I have a strong belief in the tradition of “Men and Women for Others.” I pledge to make the most of this opportunity.