Pre-Nursing
Haley Lambert '26
Why did you decide to study nursing?
Nursing appealed to me because I'm fascinated by the human body and innovations in the medical field, and above all, I want to make a significant contribution to patients' health. Personally, after growing up around my aging grandparents, I want to give back to all age groups through nursing. Before deciding to study nursing here at Whitworth, I was considering majoring in chemistry. However, I decided that I didn’t want to spend my life working in a lab; I rather wanted to see the faces of those whom I could help hands-on. Whitworth accommodated my last-minute change to switch to the nursing program and allowed me to get the classes that I needed before school started.
What class has been your favorite so far, and why?
My favorite class that I have taken at Whitworth so far has been Anatomy & Physiology with Justin Ulbright. Justin is a fantastic professor who cares about the individual success of his students and knows his course material well. Within the anatomy course here at Whitworth, students are offered access to cadavers and models. This allowed me to best further my understanding and comprehension of the human body. Seeing the human body for the first time during this course was fascinating and cemented my passion for nursing and medicine.
Tell us about a unique experience or project you’ve worked on for your major.
One unique project that I have worked on as a nursing major was the abstract poster assignment for Anatomy & Physiology. The process of working to critique and review an article related to anatomy helped me to understand the inner workings of the research process behind publishing a study. Furthermore, this project taught me how to analyze and think critically about the validity of data, methodology and future research proposals while presenting my interpretation of the results gathered. The project made me realize how much research has yet to be conducted on behalf of medicine through various different courses of study. Most importantly, the abstract assignment challenged me to present myself in front of an audience on behalf of my research critique. This process helped me to place greater trust in my ability to present to an academic audience, preparing me professionally for my nursing career moving forward.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in nursing?
I would advise them to analyze what the role of a nurse is and what they seek to achieve as a nurse. A nurse finds their role in their duty to provide the highest level of care to everyone. A nurse must provide selfless concern on behalf of the well-being of others, regardless of background, ensuring patient care and understanding. A nurse aspires the maximized health potential of their patient, finding fulfillment in their successes for both their families and themselves, physically, mentally and emotionally. Always learning, a nurse pursues the uncomfortable, working within a team.
What’s your dream job?
My dream job is working as a nurse practitioner specializing in dermatology or working as an ICU trauma nurse.
Who are three people who have made a difference for you at Whitworth?
There are so many people here at Whitworth who have worked to encourage and support me throughout my pursuit of nursing. Mike Ediger helped me to sort out my transfer credit requirements as a running start student here at Whitworth and answered all of my nursing questions. Mike helped me to lay out a schedule and navigate classes, advising me throughout my application process. Justin Ulbright inspired me to pursue nursing through his passion for medicine and enthusiasm on behalf of the medical field. Justin made it a priority to make himself available to his students outside of class and listened to what we needed, even working to open up new lab sections after hours. Being one of the first professors that I had met here at Whitworth, Justin made me feel known and more than just a number in his class, teaching me that school is just one thing I do, not who I am. Finally, it was (President) Scott McQuilkin who helped me get into all of the classes I needed last minute in deciding to change my major from chemistry to nursing. Scott reassured me that Whitworth could help me get all the credits I needed to apply for nursing school. Other schools I was interested in applying to led me through a funnel of advising sessions as time was running out, whereas Scott took action finalizing my decision to attend Whitworth.
How would you describe Whitworth?
Whitworth seeks your success and recognizes you as an individual. The community of Whitworth has a strong backbone of committed faculty and staff who are encouraging and supportive. Additionally, the culture here at Whitworth allows students to make friendships through its smaller student population in comparison to other schools. I am so thankful for all of the lifelong friendships and connections that I have made here at Whitworth. Additionally, Whitworth has a very spiritual culture on campus that has allowed me to both grow in my faith and stand proudly as a Christian. In building community both through mind and heart, Whitworth has ultimately made me feel both known and valued.
Lily Reasner '22
Why did you decide to study nursing?
I decided to study nursing because I am interested in learning about the human body and new, innovative forms of medicine, and most importantly, making a positive impact in the lives of my patients. Personally, I have experienced the comfort and care of nurses from my initial diagnoses of Type 1 diabetes until now, and that selfless service is why I want to be a nurse.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
Since I have been attending the College of Nursing, one of my favorite classes so far has been Health Assessment. Throughout this course we learned a holistic approach to performing health assessments of adults of all ages as a foundation for the care of patients. The course was paired with a lab where we practiced performing specific assessments from head to toe that we then incorporated in our clinical experience. Assessments in the physiological, psychological, cultural, social and spiritual domains were included and brought light to our role as an RN. I learned a lot about general and disease-specific assessments that are vital to nursing.
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or project you've worked on for your major.
While working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), I had a patient with Parkinson's disease, so she was physically restricted and closed off, but she also spoke softly, only expressing frustration and dissatisfaction. I continued to give her the care that she needed and helped her with daily activities, but emotionally, I felt like all I could do was smile. Every time I walked in her room, I would present a smile, whether I was bringing her lunch tray, getting her ready for a shower, or brushing her teeth after every meal. I continued to feel encouraged to smile and provide her with the best care that I could. In the end, I earned her trust, she thanked me for the first time, and she proceeded to smile back at me from then on. This experience taught me a lot about the nurse that I want to be for my patients in the future. It is important that nurses value the emotional and physical well-being of their patients with care through listening and understanding what their needs are.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in nursing?
Put in the work from the beginning because everything you learn now will be applied to your occupation. The effort you put in now will vastly impact the rest of your drive to be a nurse. In addition, one of the most important pieces of advice I would give is to think about what values in your life are most important to you and consider how you would encounter a patient who held different beliefs than you. It is important that as a nurse you are compassionate and give your patients the best, holistic care you can despite their different backgrounds or cultures.
What's your dream job?
My dream job is to be a travel maternity nurse. During Jan Term 2020, I got the opportunity to shadow nurses in a hospital through Whitworth's Medical Spanish study abroad program in Costa Rica. I had never been more reassured in my pursuit of nursing as my career. I got to step foot in an operating room, witness births, and be exposed to a greater, firsthand understanding of the role and responsibilities of being a nurse. I was immersed in a new culture, and my experience inspired me to grow further in my understanding of cultures that are different from mine that will shape me into the nurse I want to be.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
The most important connection for me at Whitworth has been my advisor, Dr. Mike Ediger. Mike was one of the first people who I met with when I toured Whitworth and was interested in the nursing program. He answered all my questions, laid out a schedule for me, and gave me all the information and advice I would need going into this process. He helped me navigate my classes and the nursing program, and even encouraged me to study abroad when I was eager for the opportunity. Mike has supported me through my time at Whitworth and continues to reach out and support his students as they continue on into the nursing program.
What's something that surprised you or might surprise other students about your major?
I was surprised by my passion and interest that has grown and continues to grow as a nursing student. As a nursing major, each year becomes more involved and aimed toward the profession I envision myself being a part of. I started out in Chem 101 and am now taking Medical Surgical Nursing and doing my clinical rotation at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. I have learned so much, and Whitworth has prepared me so well, for my first experience as a nursing student in the hospital.
Why did you choose Whitworth?
I heard about Whitworth from a friend while I was in California. Once I decided to pursue nursing, I was drawn to Whitworth's nursing program, being able to graduate in four years with my bachelor's in science in nursing. I heard about the clinical experience you receive, and it is where I have learned to apply my nursing skills.
How would you describe Whitworth?
I would describe Whitworth as a community of driven students and supportive faculty and staff. I have been guided through this new and exciting journey, and I would consider the people that I have met along the way to be my lifelong friends. Whitworth's community is unique because I have been able to keep friendships that I have made freshman year, and continue to be involved in the Whitworth community, while attending classes at Washington State University's College of Nursing. In addition, this program is unique because the College of Nursing pulls students from Whitworth, WSU and Eastern, so I have met many different people with different backgrounds who have been my support system throughout nursing school.
Shannon Belton '22
Why did you decide to study nursing?
Growing up, I was continuously surrounded by family members with various medical conditions. I watched as my father battled and overcame cancer. I witnessed my grandmother manage diabetes, overcome breast cancer, be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and navigate end stage renal disease before passing away. I saw countless other family members experience major medical diagnoses. At the center of it all was the nurses. The care and compassion that the nurses extended to my family members during these difficult times made me realize that I wanted to pursue a degree in nursing.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
Clinicals have been my favorite thus far. Not only do you get to experience firsthand what a licensed nurse does on a daily basis, but you also get to meet amazing people every shift. If I had to choose a more "traditional" class, I would choose Pathophysiology & Pharmacology. This class took a deeper look at different disease processes and how they worked within the human body.
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or project you've worked on for your major.
A unique experience I've had was through clinical training. I was placed at a long-term care facility where I met an older lady who was comatose and on hospice care. Every day I watched staff go in and out of her room; however, they never talked to her. This didn't sit well with me, so I decided to start sitting with her for 30 minutes at the end of each shift. I would hold her hand and would talk about different pictures she had in her room just to spend time with her. This is an experience I will cherish through the rest of my nursing career.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in nursing?
Something I did to really solidify my decision to pursue nursing was getting my certified nursing assistant license and working as a CNA. This gives you an idea of what working in the healthcare field is really like and allows for more patient interaction than simply shadowing a nurse. After earning my CNA, I knew that nursing was definitely the career path for me.
What's your dream job?
My dream job is to work as either a trauma, ER or ICU nurse. However, I'm interested in pursuing my education to become a nurse anesthetist.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
It's hard to pick just one connection that I had at Whitworth because everyone I had the opportunity to meet was always helpful and kind. However, Mike Ediger made the biggest impression on me. At the beginning of my freshman year, I was all over the place with what I wanted to do with my life. The classes you have to take as a nursing major are not easy, and I struggled at first; however, every time I would go to Mike for help, he would always reassure me. If it weren't for his constant support and help during hard times, I potentially wouldn't be where I am today.