Nikita Paul is graduating from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Science Program this month.
Nikita Paul graduates this month from the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing Science Program.
What is your proudest moment as a UCI nursing student?
I don’t know if there’s a singular, defining moment that I am most proud of but overall, I can’t believe I made it this far! I keep thinking, wow, did I really complete all those clinical hours while juggling other commitments??
This journey has not been easy and I am so proud of myself for pushing through — finding little victories along the way that has culminated into this very moment where I finally get to graduate!
How has your nursing education at UCI prepared you to move forward in your nursing career?
I feel well-equipped to evaluate and incorporate best practices as I think about the dynamic needs of this profession. I hope to take on nurse leadership roles aimed toward quality improvement or addressing latent problems that pose as barriers to optimal care delivery.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you were starting nursing school?
Looking back, I wish I spent more time being in the present and enjoying the unique experience of being a college student. I got very caught up in planning for the future which caused a lot of unnecessary anxiety and stress, which I had to unlearn. Dedicating time in my schedule to be with friends or try something new has made nursing school a fulfilling, incredible experience.
How did your mentor at UCI prepare and/or support you on your journey?
I am so lucky to have passionate, caring instructors in my nursing courses who served as my mentors throughout this journey. They all share a genuine intention to see their students flourish into strong nurses, and that inspires me to keep challenging my potential every day. On days when I felt discouraged, my mentors reminded me that I am not alone in this climb and connected me with their experiences or resources to help me overcome the challenges of nursing school.
Is there anything else you want to add?
One message I would like to share is to choose kindness. I am so grateful to have kind peers and mentors who inspire me to serve from the heart. The past 2-3 years has been extremely difficult, a little kindness goes a long way.
For more information or to support a future nurse or nurse-led research, please to Juliana Goswick, Director of Development at jgoswick@hs.uci.edu or visit Giving.
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