Hometown: Brigantine, NJ
Undergraduate: University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you came to Drexel?
As an accomplished high school athlete I was recruited to row division-one at The University of Tulsa, where I was a four-year letter winner and a team captain. I graduated in May of 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I accepted a job as a registered nurse at The Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania in the Cardiac Intermediate Care Unit, where I am currently employed. When I’m not working, I enjoy running, biking, spending time with friends and baking.
What is your current program of study? What does a typical day look like?
I am currently a post-baccalaureate pre-medical student; I am completing a certificate program that provides me with the prerequisites and guidance to further my education in the medical field. My typical day varies depending on my work schedule. I have been very fortunate that both my employer and the College of Medicine have been incredibly accommodating to the reality of working a full-time job and completing high-level science courses.
What drew you to your field of study, and to the College of Medicine specifically?
As a young nurse who was new to practice, I knew I wanted to further my education. This program gives me the ability to work full-time as a nurse while also completing courses I’ll need for medical school in the future.
How did your undergraduate experience prepare you for your current studies?
My time as a division-one athlete and a nursing student at The University of Tulsa prepared me for the rigors of working a full-time schedule as a nurse while also completing upper-level science courses at the College of Medicine. I learned time management, good study techniques and prioritization. All of these values have been of tremendous use to me as a student today.
What advice would you give incoming students in your program?
I would advise incoming students to take full advantage of the small class sizes and student-teacher ratios. The professors here are readily available and eager to help students learn. The small class sizes provide a very positive learning environment; even though our classes are primarily virtual, my classmates and I work well together and have had successful teamwork on our group labs.