After working for over five years as a licensed vocational nurse at various hospitals and departments, Mark Howell decided to get out of his comfort zone and enroll at 国产主播-Ontario for his bachelor’s of science in nursing. 鈥淚t was something I needed to accomplish for myself and I鈥檓 glad I did,鈥� Mark said of going back to school.

鈥淚t was the most challenging things I鈥檝e ever done in my adult life but if you can make it through school, you can make it through the field.鈥� Now the WCU alumnus has been working as an emergency room RN for over a year and has no plans of slowing down. Howell said he loves the fast-paced environment of the emergency room, and isn鈥檛 one to back down from a challenge.

鈥淵ou go in at shift change, assess your patients, put on your skates and just go,鈥� Mark said of the action-packed county hospital ER he works in as a registered nurse. 鈥淵ou have to have an attitude of 鈥榃hatever happens, just go with it – especially during COVID.鈥�

During his time at WCU, Mark participated in the Global Public Health program where he and his group had a chance to travel to Argentina and learn about the healthcare field there.

鈥淕lobal Public Health was one of the best times I鈥檝e ever had,鈥� Mark said about the abroad program. 鈥淣ever think you鈥檙e not good enough, just apply, because you never know if you don鈥檛 try, and that applies to in everything in life.鈥� And speaking of help, Mark shared that his biggest piece of advice to new nurses or incoming students is to never be afraid to ask for help.

“This field is a very helping field and you don鈥檛 want your patient having a poor outcome because you didn鈥檛 ask for help,鈥� Mark said. 鈥淎sking for help doesn鈥檛 mean you don鈥檛 know what you鈥檙e doing, but it can make a difference in patient care.鈥�

Due to the current uncertainties with international travel, all WCU study abroad programs are suspended until further notice as advised by international ordinances and global public health officials.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.