Gabriela Herrera

I began my college career as an education major at a small, private women’s college in Virginia. However, at the start of my junior year I withdrew from my studies and took a year off from school to take care of my mother who had a terminal cancer diagnosis. It was during that year, that I came across many wonderful nurses who guided me and taught me how to lovingly care for my mother during her final days. This experience prompted me to reevaluate my future. It was then that I decided I wanted to start over and pursue nursing as a career.

This time, I knew I wanted to stay closer to home to be near my family and friends. I attended UMBC for two years to complete my nursing school prerequisites. I was certain I wanted to transfer to the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), one of the top ranking nursing schools in the country. While attending an UMSON Open House I learned that the program was also offered at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). I was delighted since this location would be much more convenient for me rather than driving to Baltimore every day.

My time at USG has presented me with many opportunities that I would not have been afforded elsewhere. I get to learn and develop my skills alongside a very tight-knit cohort, where students and faculty are there to support one another. I have benefited from the University of Maryland Association of Nursing Students (UMANS) mentor-mentee program, where my mentor made my transition into nursing school seamless. Now I’m able to fill the role of a mentor. Since my commute is only 20 minutes, I am able to dedicate time to gain work experience as a patient care technician at the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center. I have also benefited from additional scholarship support, which has made a profound impact in bringing me one step closer to reaching my goals.

While I'm open to the diverse fields that nursing has to offer, I have the desire to work as an Oncology nurse. Ultimately, my goal is to use my degree as a stepping stone to earn my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to become a nurse practitioner. Regardless of what nursing field I choose to specialize in, I know that I have chosen to pursue the profession best suited for me and that my time at USG has been essential to my college journey.