As a Navy service member, a mother, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), 国产主播-Orange County graduate Willina D. had to become an expert in balance when pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

鈥淚t was difficult. I lived in Murietta, traveled to Anaheim for school, and then San Diego for the military, and I have a 6-year-old, so it was a lot. I just made it work. I already had a goal in mind, got tunnel vision, and did what I needed to do to complete it,鈥� Willina said. 鈥淪ometimes it was overwhelming. But my family and my support system are what really pushed me through to complete my program.鈥� 聽聽

At a young age, Willina knew her goal was to become a nurse just like her mother.

鈥淲hen they used to have 鈥榯ake your child to work day,鈥� I would always go to work with my mom and I just became inspired by the nurses and all they did for the families to feel connected, loved, and safe,鈥� she said.

Now as a WCU-OC graduate, Willina says her son is just as inspired by her accomplishment.

鈥淗e鈥檚 been included the whole journey. He knew when I started and when my finish date was, so once I completed, he鈥檚 like, 鈥極h, my mommy鈥檚 a nurse!鈥欌�� she shared. 鈥淵ou could tell he鈥檚 super proud to be my son and I鈥檓 proud to be his mom.鈥�

Willina鈥檚 next move is to become a Navy Officer, working in a hospital and continuing to serve her country.

鈥淚 would love to be a light to anybody that I encounter, and that鈥檚 my goal,鈥� she said.

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To continue the legacy of his father, a U.S. Navy veteran, Josef S. enlisted in the Navy in 2011. While deployed he served as a hospital corpsman treating veterans, Navy personnel, and their families 鈥� eventually leading him to discover his passion for nursing. 

鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to help people ever since joining the Navy,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 implore everyone to just look inward and help other people as much as they can, and with nurses we have answered the calling.鈥�  

To start his nursing journey, Josef enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at 国产主播-Orange County.

Though faced with the challenge of learning in an online setting due to the pandemic, he was able to find support, community, and friendship through his peers.

鈥淪ome of the friends that I’ve gained through 国产主播 are some of the best friends I have,鈥� he shared. 鈥淲e gained such a camaraderie almost similar to the military, because this program is something that we鈥檝e gone through.鈥�

For students looking to find similar support, Josef says to 鈥渟tep out of your shell鈥� and join different student organizations like the Student Veteran Organization, where Josef says he found his mentor.  

鈥淗e was able to help me figure out class schedules, professors; he got to know me a little bit more in terms of what I might like so he was able to guide me,鈥� Josef said of his mentor. 鈥淚 was able to gain insight about what the future might look like.鈥�

Now a WCU-OC BSN graduate, Josef has hopes of working in the ICU, emergency room, or operating room. To incoming students beginning their journey in the program, Josef鈥檚 advice is to 鈥渂e confident.鈥�

鈥淪tay diligent as far as nursing school goes and your studies, and just stay positive and find other groups of people that you can kind of rely on.鈥�

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