In the world of health care, the journey to becoming a nurse often begins with a pivotal moment – a moment that sparks a deep-seated passion for helping others. For Cody Cottle and Anna Smagacz, two level four students from The University of New Mexico College of Nursing Pre-Licensure BSN program at the Health Sciences Rio Rancho campus, these moments came in the form of traumatic experiences that ignited their desire to pursue a career in nursing.
Cottle's passion for nursing was ignited when her brother suffered a severe hand injury during her childhood. Witnessing the nurses in action during his care in the emergency room, she found herself drawn to their calm demeanor and decided to be a part of the nursing world. She recalls, "I was intrigued by the entire process of his care. I was scared, but seeing the nurses in action, their calm demeanor, made me realize I wanted to be a part of that world."
Similarly, Smagacz's path to nursing was shaped by a traumatic event during a nursing internship in an emergency room. While assisting with the care of a gunshot victim, she faced the daunting task of confronting a life-threatening injury. However, instead of succumbing to fear, Smagacz felt an intense calm and stepped up to the challenge. She says, "I felt an intense calm I didn't expect, but was super grateful for. I got to help someone on the worst day of their life and I'm excited to keep learning how to do that here in the College of Nursing."
Both Cottle and Smagacz's experiences were guided by the mentorship and guidance of skilled health care professionals who acted as role models during pivotal moments in their lives. They are now honing their passion and building their skills at the College of Nursing Pre-Licensure BSN program at the Health Sciences Rio Rancho campus. With a curriculum that encompasses clinical care, rural nursing, and instruction from esteemed faculty, they are working towards their goals of becoming knowledgeable and caring nurses who can serve their patients.
In a world where origin stories are often associated with superheroes, it's important to recognize that health care workers are some of the unsung heroes of our communities. As Cottle and Smagacz embark on their journey to become nurses, their stories remind us that everyone has the potential to be a hero in their own right, simply by offering care and compassion to those in need.
