Among all students anticipation is running high for the end of the 2017-2018 academic year that is fast approaching. But the level of expectancy and excitement is highest among Seniors, who have worked so hard for so long to reach the goal that is so close: Commencement 2018. We congratulate all MCCN students who have reached this important milestone – master’s and bachelor’s degree recipients – and are grateful to these senior students who took a moment to share their parting thoughts:
Kelly Garrison
My fondest memory of MCCN: My fondest memories at MCCN-FMC would be the parties. It was always a nice break from school stress to eat good food, win door prizes, and get a massage.
My advice for all students is: I advise freshmen to learn to study properly. It is something I wish I would have known freshmen year because I feel like I did not retain key information from anatomy that would have made future classes less challenging.
My plans for the future are: I am not sure whether I'm going into pediatrics or the adult population yet. I hope to specialize in an area once I find what I like.
Donald Germany
My fondest memory of MCCN: The fondest memory I have about Mount Carmel is one of equality. For the very first time in my life, I was not judged by the color of my skin, but instead by the quality of my care. At MCCN – “The Mount” – didactic theory truly unites at the intersection of practice on the clinical floor. The "Mount’s" pillars of compassion, incorporated with providing evidence-based best practice, has gained me many compliments for my quality of care, which I attribute to our exceptional faculty and staff.
My advice for all students is: To remember the days may be long, but the semesters will fly by. You will notice our program is more intense than others, and instructors will push you to be great. We are likened to a track athlete at a school known for producing the greatest. In practice we stay longer than other schools, we run extra laps and we complain. But when the competition starts (at graduation) and we take off in a sprint, the only thing other schools will see, is the back of our Mount Carmel jerseys as we pull away from the pack and accelerate towards success!
My plans for the future are: I will start my nursing career in psychiatric mental health and attend a psychiatric mental health Family Nurse Practitioner program. My goal is to open an outpatient psychiatric mental health clinic in an area such as Franklinton. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help others.
Tori Hedges
My fondest memory of MCCN: Among my favorite memories of MCCN are volunteering for the Girl's Life program, Mr. Hiltbrunner's Ethics class, and taking OB and peds and having those classes solidify what I want to do in the future.
My advice for all students is: I advise students to study, stay on track, ask for help when you need it, and don't be afraid to speak up.
My plans for the future are: I look forward to work in obstetrical or pediatric nursing.
Joseph Ohakim
My fondest memory of MCCN: My fondest memory of my four years at Mount Carmel was volunteering at Fairfield Medical Center Healthfest. Here I was able to give back to the community and provide them with the tools they need to be healthy.
My advice for all students is: Make sure to balance school, work and your social life. But make sure to enjoy every moment of school because it’ll be over before you know it.
My plans for the future are: I will be starting on a Med/Surg unit. In the future after I’ve gotten a few years under my belt I plan to go back to school for my Master’s Degree.
Kayla Walaszek
My fondest memory of MCCN: The best memories at Mount Carmel would then the atmosphere of Fairfield Medical Center. They always made us feel included even as a distant campus. The massages and parties were fun.
My advice for all students is: Get a planner! It will save your life!
My plans for the future are: I will be starting at a fellowship for OhioHealth and plan on working on the trauma floor.
Miranda Whitesed
My fondest memory of MCCN: My favorite memory of MCCN is living in the Residence Hall with my best friends.
My advice for all students is: The advice I leave for other students is to make the most of your college experience from day one. Be organized and productive with your time, plan ahead, get involved with college organizations and study hard. If you lose focus or hit a bump in the road, write your name out with "BSN, RN" at the end of it and remember why you chose to be a nurse. Find your MCCN best friends and have fun learning together.
My plans for the future are: After graduation I plan to go into pediatric nursing, doing bedside nursing and see where that takes me.
