Northwestern State University is known for having many areas of study that incoming and current students can choose from. One of the most common paths chosen by students is in the College of Nursing and Allied Health, which prepares them for jobs in both nursing and other medical fields like anesthesia, ultrasound technicians, radiological sciences and several other practices. Both the allied health and nursing programs at NSU are known for having a large number of students who successfully become active participants in their fields.
Karmen Laurant, a junior nursing major, is aiming to become a nurse after being influenced by her home life and siblings. “I am the only girl with two brothers. They loved to roughhouse outside, and I always took care of their cuts and scrapes. I found a lot of joy in taking care of them when they were sick as well. I’ve always been an empathetic person, so if there was a way to help, I was looking for it. Nursing just fit me,” Laurant said.
Laurant also adds that being part of the nursing program has been rewarding for many reasons. “I know that I plan to be a good nurse. Every time I pass an exam, I feel one step further to that day,” Laurant said. “Even in my struggles, I find joy in knowing that I plan on using my degree in the best way possible. There’s so much bad in the world, and I get to be the good. It’s really rewarding to think about it that way.”
There are many qualities that students going into these fields share, the most common being the desire to help and provide services to those in need. Students in the College of Nursing and Allied Health have to love helping others while being considerate and aware of the situations that people may be facing.
Alyssa Nugent is a senior psychology major who believes that those considering the medical field should be considerate of how they handle themselves and their future patients. “Students considering the psychology program should understand that working in this field requires being considerate, professional and empathetic. This degree is very rewarding, but it can also be stressful at times. It’s essential to prioritize the health of your patients and to be patient, understanding and non-judgmental,” Nugent said.
The College of Nursing and Allied Health is also one of the most study-dependent programs and poses challenges for participating students every day. Niklaus Jordan is a sophomore nursing major who has handled the coursework and stress that comes with it by getting ahead in his degree requirements and having hobbies outside of school.
“I started freshman year taking more classes to get my prerequisites out of the way. Now, my semester are 12-15 hours and only nursing courses, so I don’t have to worry about extra classes. I try to keep a healthy balance between school and free time,” Jordan said. “I have lots of hobbies, like going to the gym and playing guitar, that give me a break from the stress that comes from school.”
Jordan also finds that his experience in preparing to become a registered nurse has been positive because he already had some form of medical experience. “Since starting high school and becoming a CNA, I have enjoyed being in nursing. I have learned so many new things every day even outside of class. My favorite thing about nursing is knowing that, at the end of the day, you helped someone in some way,” Jordan said.
The students of these programs are preparing themselves to work jobs that take both resilience and passion. Though the journey isn’t easy, NSU is dedicated to creating the next generation of talented healthcare workers who will positively impact everyone they help.
