The student ambassadors of Mennonite College of Nursing offer prospective students a genuine look into the life of a nursing student at Illinois State University. Join Katie Leslie as she shares her journey firsthand.
Year in school/Nursing plan: Senior/Plan 1
What on-campus organizations are you involved in?
I am the captain of ISU’s official dance team, Redline Express, and I am an Admissions tour guide. In my freshman and sophomore years, I was in the service sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha and served on the executive board.
Explain any jobs, internships, or shadow opportunities you have had.
I have worked as a west region patient care technician float for Northwestern Medicine for two years. I floated between three hospitals: Central Dupage, Delnor, and Marianjoy. Because of this job, I have worked on a total of 24 units, which has helped guide me in the direction of which unit I want to work on as a new grad nurse.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field. I love talking to people and hearing their life stories, and nursing provides that opportunity in addition to being able to provide life-saving measures.
What specific clinical experience, class, or faculty has had the most significant impact on your learning and growth as a future nurse?
Although all the faculty at Mennonite have been nothing but supportive, two of the most influential staff were Dr. Valerie Wright (D.N.P., R.N., C.N.E., C.H.S.E., R.Y.T.) and Taylor Taylor (A.P.N., F.N.P.). This past October, I became very sick and was in the hospital for an infection that caused me to develop myocarditis. Both of these incredible women checked in on me and gave me an immense amount of support. They continued to check in on me weeks later. Dr. Wright offered prayers, and Taylor performed a full assessment on me during clinical when I started having chest pain and palpitations.
What advice would you give to your freshman self when starting the nursing program?
Learning how to manage your time is crucial. Being involved in sports, working, and nursing school all at once is overwhelming, but once you have a schedule and a plan, anything is possible. Making time for fun and socialization is also important to factor in. You will need a break from all the hard work!
What are your plans and aspirations for your nursing career after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to work as an ED (emergency department) nurse for one of the suburban Northwestern hospitals. I want to go back to school to get my master’s so that I can become an Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP).
How has your experience at MCN prepared you for a career in nursing?
During each of my adult clinicals, I was given the opportunity to float to units like the ED, OR, and pre-op. I was able to start IVs, perform nasal swabs, see open heart surgery, and much more. Since I’m hoping to work in the emergency department, being able to start IVs and perform nasal swabs early in my nursing school career has prepared me well for my life as a new grad nurse. Taking the leadership course has also prepared me for interviews, building my resume, and budgeting costs.
Lastly, what does being a nurse mean to you personally?
Being a nurse means being an advocate for your patients. They don’t always understand that they have a choice in their treatment, and I want to have the opportunity to provide them with options and resources.
