After earning her vocational nursing degree and acquiring two masters, it took speaking to high school students for Stephanie Taylor to finally pursue her dream of becoming a nurse with training from ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥.

Taylor served in the military before becoming an LVN and eventually went into education, with the goal of passing her wisdom on to the next generation.

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Why did you go back to school for your bachelor of science in nursing?

I was teaching a health program at a high school and I was really urging and encouraging them to get into nursing. One summer I stopped and thought, I’m telling them to do something that’s my dream too. From there I decided I’m going to go back and get my BSN degree.

What inspired you to become a nurse?

My grandmother was a registered nurse and hearing her stories of being in the hospital and helping people gave me the desire to pursue nursing.

Can anyone be a nurse?

I think it takes a special kind of person. You have to have a love for people, a compassionate heart, and a desire to help people.

What is your dream job?

I would love to get into a Med Surg or ICU floor to gain some experience, but I would love to eventually get into education. I want to be able to give back.

What do you want people to know about ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥?

I’ve never been to a school where you have access to your dean, the registrar and your instructors. You see them up and down the hallways. It seems like it’s hard with larger universities to get in contact with so many people. What’s so profound to me is that your instructors from your GE classes will always be there for you, even when you go to nursing core. If I need to go vent or talk it out, I have many instructors I can go back to.

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.