Inside Education and Health Sciences
'Never give up,' and other advice for nursing students
The University of Dayton relaunched a nursing program in 2019, and the first cohort of students is preparing to graduate in May.
UD's nursing program is a partnership with Sinclair Community College, where at the end of four years students have an Associate of Applied Science in nursing awarded by Sinclair, and a Bachelor of Science in nursing awarded by UD.
Michelle Cox is a professor in the Department of Health and Sport Science, and the director of the nursing program at UD. The nursing profession is expected to grow by thousands of jobs every year over the next decade, and she says it is important to educate the next generation of nurses to meet the healthcare demands of the community.
"For many, nursing is a calling, for others, it is generations of nurses in their families or a health experience that turned them toward the profession," Cox said. "Regardless of how students find their way to a nursing academic journey, it is vitally important to get the right people into the profession. In doing so, it generates safe, compassionate care and a commitment to the profession."
This year's graduating cohort is a small but mighty group that has a clear passion for the profession and a bright vision of the future.
Meet the six graduating seniors (answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity):
Ashton Hanna
Hometown: Springboro, Ohio
Where are you working after graduation?
I plan to stay in Springboro and continue to work as a NICU nurse at Dayton Children's Hospital, where I've worked since October 2022.
Why did you want to be a nurse?
Being a NICU nurse has always been my dream job! I feel that I can help the tiny lives that are so fragile as well as provide hope and inspiration to their families. I have a big heart for others and want to serve my community members. I love to be the "caretaker" and I enjoy keeping smiles on babies' and children's faces.
Do you have any pieces of advice for future nursing students?
My advice to nursing students would be to remember how far you have come and keep putting forth your best effort, even when you doubt yourself. Nursing is hard, but it also is one of the most rewarding professions. Find your people and keep the faith!
Shea Meyer
Hometown: Russia, Ohio
Where are you working after graduation?
I am currently employed as a registered nurse at Mercer Health working in their doctor’s offices throughout Mercer County.
Why did you want to be a nurse?
I wanted to become a nurse because of a strong influence I had from a few nurses who took care of my late grandma throughout her battle with cancer in 2020. I saw the amazing care and compassion they provided her -- I wanted to be that person that was there for others in their time of need. My grandma was always very proud of my decision to become a nurse, and she was my reason that kept me pushing through all of the work that it takes to earn a nursing license.
Do you have any pieces of advice for future nursing students?
Never give up on what you set out to do. It can be so easy to feel down on yourself through the countless hours of studying, late nights, stress, and missing out on some of the fun at times; but in no time you will be sitting in those arena seats with your graduation gear on, so proud of yourself and grateful for the struggles that taught you how to persevere.
Sarah Pham
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Where are you working after graduation?
I am currently working at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, on a medical-surgical/behavioral health unit.
Why did you want to be a nurse?
I always knew I wanted to help people and pursue a career in healthcare. My mom went to nursing school when I was a child and I got to see her go through the process of becoming a nurse. This inspired me to follow in her footsteps, and I greatly enjoy nursing because I get to be bedside with my patients and get to know them on a personal level.
Do you have any pieces of advice for future nursing students?
Get as much hand-on experience and practice as you can in clinical! Keep an open mind going into your clinical rotations and be willing to learn about and pursue all specialties, even ones that you don't think you are interested in.
India Richardson
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Where are you working after graduation?
I currently work at Miami Valley Hospital on an advanced pulmonary unit floor. My dream nursing job is to be an aesthetics nurse.
Why did you want to be a nurse?
I always knew that I wanted to be in the healthcare profession; I chose nursing because of the amount of patient interaction compared to other fields in healthcare. When people are in the hospital, it's the worst time of their life - so I want to make it a little better for them. Then my grandmother passed away with lung cancer in November of 2021 and her nursing staff was incredible -- that's when I really started to appreciate nursing as a career path.
Do you have any pieces of advice for future nursing students?
My piece of advice to any nursing student or anyone wanting to pursue nursing is to:
- NEVER GIVE UP. Nursing is a very challenging program and it's that way because not everyone can be a nurse.
- LEARN HOW TO STUDY FOR NURSING YOUR WAY. Not everyone can study nursing the same way. What works for some may not work for others.
- Lastly, when things get hard REMEMBER YOUR REASON WHY. There will be times when you want to quit and give up but remembering why you chose this field in the first place will always ground you! You got this.
Biz Volz
Hometown: Madeira, Ohio
Where are you working after graduation?
I️ currently work in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Dayton Children's Hospital.
Why did you want to be a nurse?
I've always known I️ wanted to be in the healthcare field, and after seeing the interactions and relationships nurses develop with their patients I️ knew it was the right fit for me. Being able to see a patient progressively get better is the best part about nursing. Specifically, working with children is so rewarding when I️ get to see the patient's personality come to life as they start to feel better.
Do you have any pieces of advice for future nursing students?
Nursing school is very emotionally and physically challenging, but in the end it is so worth it and rewarding. Finding a study group with people who are invested in your success is one thing I️ found so helpful when navigating my way through nursing school. You can do it, I️ believe in you and cannot wait to welcome you into the nursing field upon your graduation.
Kat Vonfahnestock
Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia
Where are you working after graduation?
I will continue to work as a RN at Miami Valley Hospital and then hopefully move home and pursue a career at Fairfax Children's Hospital
Why did you want to be a nurse?
I always admired the ethics behind nursing and the potential for career growth in so many different pathways.
Do you have any pieces of advice for future nursing students?
Keep your head up and keep going no matter what. It is so rewarding to see how much you have overcome after long nights of study groups, library sessions, and worrying about your next lab check off. Take a deep breath and know that you have a support system and we are all here for you cheering you along every step of the way.