Tricia Gordon ‘06 Attending Boston College nursing school has really changed my life. I have been a practicing nurse for 4 years. The rigorous program at Boston College taught me how to think critically and apply knowledge. My clinical rotations were in the teaching hospitals of Boston and its surroundings; this experience built the confidence needed to succeed in the real world. I was exposed to a diverse group of clients, not only diversity in culture and religion, but in medical diagnosis and treatment plans. The professors cared about me as a student. Many of them are involved with research and some still practice clinically so they brought real life examples to the classroom. There are a lot of leadership activities to get involved with through the nursing school and the Boston College campus, which I took part in. and feel it made me a well-­‐
rounded nurse. I loved it so much that I am back studying for my master’s degree. Since graduating I have worked in different roles with my nursing degree. I work on an orthopedic and urologic unit. The interesting fact about working on a unit with two different specialties is that every day, every patient diagnosis can be totally dissimilar. For example in one day I can provide care to three patients, one with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, one with spinal stenosis, and another with pneumonia. Most of these patients are hospitalized after surgery so I work with the surgeon to nurture the patients back to baseline, free of complications common with surgery. A lot of patient and family education is involved in discharge planning. Another role I have had since graduating is working as a private duty nurse. This experience is very different and interesting. Private duty nursing has exposed me to some of the wealthiest people in Boston. The home care involved with private duty nursing encourages autonomy, flexibility and creativity. It also involves collaborating and consulting with the covering physicians or contracted agencies nurses, case managers and physical therapist. In most cases the families are also actively involved in the care of the patient and final decisions. My newest role is a clinical instructor for a group of undergraduate nursing students in their medical/surgical clinical rotation. These are just a few of the things I have done since graduating from BC and I am looking forward to the many other opportunities that await me. On a personal level, I immigrated to the United States eleven years ago from Trinidad and Tobago with my mother and two siblings. We came to this country in pursuit of the American dream and I know that dream’s foundation is a solid education. I realize how far I have come and my life experiences motivate me to want to continue to succeed.