My first introduction to the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) was through my guidance counselor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) when I had to continue the second portion of my nursing program. I was ecstatic to find that USG housed the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), one of the top-ranked nursing schools in the nation.
I chose to attend my classes at the USG campus for three main reasons:
- Distance: the campus was literally right next door to my house, giving me only a 5-minute commute.
- Small class sizes: the programs are really tight-knit, allowing you to build real, authentic rapport with the professors and your fellow classmates.
- Student life: there are a plethora of student organizations and resources that makes it nearly impossible to feel unsupported.
Even though these were my initial reasons for choosing the campus, once I started attending UMSON’s B.S. in Nursing (Entry-Into-Nursing) program at USG, I was blown away by the professors here. The nursing professors are not only phenomenal, they are also genuine mentors who are truly dedicated to their craft and motivated to prepare the next generation of nurses. I have never felt so supported by a community. I sincerely feel that they have helped mold me into a more authentic person, and have provided me with the tools and resources to start my journey into the field of nursing.
I am currently a mentor in the University of Maryland Association of Nursing Students (UMANS) mentor-mentee program, as well as a GSS Leader for Fundamentals of Nursing in the Context of Older Adults (NURS317). In UMANS, I help support and guild the lower classmen with the challenges of the nursing program. And as a GSS leader, I help provide additional academic support, as well as learning tips for NURS317 exams outside of the classroom.
My current career goal is to become a registered nurse with a specialty in geriatrics, and possibility a professor in nursing after a few years of experience.