STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SARA PENA ?????
Sara Pena is a dedicated student at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing with several years of experience in the health care field.
She decided to pursue a career in nursing because she wanted a field that would challenge her. “With 17 years of experience as a dental assistant, I have always been drawn to nursing because it offers ample opportunities for growth and new knowledge and allows me to embrace my passion for caregiving,” she said. Being a nurse will enable her to combine her compassionate nature with her curiosity about the human experience.
She said she chose St. Joseph’s College of Nursing for many reasons. “First and foremost, I wanted to attend a college that had many program options, such as day and night programs. As an adult learner who has a family with two little kids, it was super important to me to choose a college that would allow me to be able to go to school while maintaining a manageable work-life balance.”
She continues, “It was also very important for me to go to a school with a long-standing positive reputation within the community and a high academic success.” Sara’s mother worked at St. Joseph's Health for many years, so it has been a part of her life since childhood. “I also enjoy that I get to follow in the footsteps of my uncle, who graduated from the program as an adult learner, and he is someone I have always looked up to personally and professionally.”
She notes she feels fortunate to have more than one mentor at the College, namely Professor Granato and Professor Kosinski.
“Professor Granato has been such a wonderful advisor for me. She has always made time for me when I needed help with things and, more importantly, always helps me by being a voice of reason and reminds me how capable I am when I need the reassurance the most,” she said
“Professor Kosinski always takes the time to explain and show me new skills. She has the most positive attitude and personality, which always makes me happy to work with or learn from her whenever I get the opportunity.”
Sara said her dream nursing job is to become a psychiatric nurse. She aspires to advocate for mental health and promote positive outcomes in this field.
If you are someone exploring your nursing education options, Sara said St. Joseph’s College of Nursing is the best nursing school in town. “We are so lucky as students here to have so many resources available to us, lots of different clinical experiences within the hospital, a diverse group of students, different program options to choose from, the amazing Laurie Files, and professors who love what they do and are a wealth of knowledge.”
Thank you, Sara, for your ongoing dedication to the College and the nursing field; we are fortunate to have students like you!
To learn more about applying, click here: https://bit.ly/3Ta4ANY
