国产主播-Texas student Dana Al Qalawi found the key to mapping out her career path was listening to her heart 鈥� and that led her straight to the nursing field.

鈥淚鈥檝e been wanting to be in the medical field since I was a kid,鈥� Dana said. 鈥淚 was not into any other field, I didn鈥檛 have the heart for it, and to me if you don鈥檛 have your heart in something it鈥檚 not worth going there.鈥�

While currently working as a pharmacy technician, Dana is entering her second year in the BSN program. She credits a campus visit as what led to her ultimate decision to attend WCU-Texas. Typically, a hands-on learner, Dana recalls falling in love with what the campus had to offer during an in-person orientation.

鈥淚 came to orientation, I saw the simulation center and everything that 国产主播 does, and it made my heart beat,鈥� she said.

While Dana had to quickly adapt to online learning during her first-year due to the pandemic, she now excitedly awaits to begin her clinical rotation as campus doors re-open. Dana notes that starting skills lab on campus, and being around others, will be a reminder of what matters most. 聽

鈥淣ursing is not just about the money, and I don鈥檛 care about the money,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have a goal, and if I meet that goal that鈥檚 what I care about. Seeing these people smiling, helping people out every day, changing people鈥檚 lives, that鈥檚 what I love about nursing.鈥�

Dana鈥檚 motivational mantra: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful day to save lives,鈥� pushes her closer to that goal daily. For Dana, being there for others, giving her best, and having a big heart are qualities of the type of nurse she wants to be.

鈥淭his is what I want to do,鈥� Dana said. 鈥淚f my heart beats for it, then this is the right place for me.鈥�

Dana is interested in working with children in pediatrics, and she desires to continue her education by pursuing her nurse practitioner and master鈥檚 degree in the future. As Dana follows her heart to pursue her dreams, her advice to other students is to be yourself, go for the field you want, and work for it.

鈥淜eep pushing through, we can do this, we can be whatever we want to be,鈥� she shared. 鈥淎nd remember, success is not about how your life looks to others, it鈥檚 about how it feels to you.鈥�

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.