Meet Aiden.

What made you consider nursing as a program of study?

I wanted to be in a program and profession where I can positively impact people when they need it most… and nursing is just that. We are there to help patients and families when they are in their deepest times of need. Even if the patient doesn’t remember my name, I want them to remember me as the nurse that treated them with kindness and the utmost respect.

Did you have an ah-ha moment about wanting to become a nurse?

The ah-ha moment for me was when I walked into the hospital for the first time to shadow a nurse in the ICU as well as a CRNA in the operating room. From that moment on, I felt like nursing was the perfect profession for me and I could see myself thriving in this career path.

Why did you choose WVU School of Nursing? 

I chose WVU School of Nursing because of the clinical experience we get while in the program. This truly set WVU SON apart because we get to be in the hospital during our first semester sophomore year and begin seeing and interacting with patients. There is no comparison to patient care experience and WVU gives me just that plus much more.

Could you share a positive experience from your time at the SON?

The positive experience I would want to share comes from when we have participated in Interprofessional Education (IPE). These experiences have helped me to understand and appreciate the other members of the healthcare team I will interact with in the hospital. Knowing and understanding their roles has truly set me up for success in providing holistic care to my patients.

What’s one piece of advice you would give your freshman self?

One piece of advice I would give to my freshman self is to not be afraid to ask for help. It’s easy to sit back and not ask for help thinking it’s a sign of weakness, but once you take that step and get the help you need you will begin to flourish. WVU has resources out there to help students get the help they need, and ultimately the faculty and staff here at WVU SON truly want to see us succeed.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I will be working in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital here in Morgantown, WV. After gaining experience in the ICU, I am planning to go back to CRNA School and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

How do you feel WVU prepared you for your next chapter?

I feel that WVU has greatly prepared me for the many opportunities I have to look forward to as a nurse. I think I could start anywhere as a new grad and succeed because of the tremendous job WVU has done to get me to that point.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I don’t think it’s a secret that nursing school is challenging and can seem overwhelming at times, but the thing to remember is that you chose this profession for a reason. There are days I wonder why I chose this career path, but then I look in the mirror and realize that I want what is best for my patients even when I am not at my best. While in the midst of my second guessing, I may wonder why I chose nursing, but a patient’s gratitude is the only reminder I need of why I do what I do.