I am pursing a degree in nursing at Old Dominion University. I chose to become a nurse for several reasons. For one, I have been helped by many health professions over the course of my life, and they have helped me greatly. Without them, I know that my quality of life would not be the same. Secondly, I also love working with people, and being able to make a tangible difference. All through high school, I volunteered every Sunday to help children with special needs at my church. It was truly one of the highlights of every week. I developed such a passion with special needs children through that, that I was able to put on a fundraiser as a high school senior where I raised over $1,000 for a summer camp specifically for special need children in Richmond, VA. Lastly, I’m someone who likes to stay busy and be on my feet as much as possible, and nursing has that work environment that I love.

As a senior in high school, I completed an internship from late winter to early spring (which amounted to 50+ hours) at Tuckahoe Orthopedics (I shadowed the pediatric doctors) in Richmond, VA. I was able to learn more about reading x-rays, MRI’s, and CAT scans. While also learning more about the human body and the different surgeries available for treatment options.

I was also a lifeguard for two years and became CPR and First Aid certified. Although I never witnessed anything too extreme injury wise while on the job, I did perform basic First Aid to numerous patrons and learned more about patient care/hospitality.