During the 2025 Symposium, students had the chance to hear from Dr. Neil Peterson and three current Family Nurse Practitioner graduate program students about how to find the best job after graduation. The students, Susy Vega, DeeDee Long, and Saul Villalobos, have had diverse experiences in nursing ranging from hospital positions to working in public schools and private nursing. With their knowledge and the wisdom of hindsight, they were able to counsel current undergraduates in their search for the right career.
They responded to the following questions:
How do I network beyond Utah?
- Among the three, the consensus was that the internet has made a large world much smaller. Saul emphasized the importance of casting a wide net by researching good locations and sending out numerous applications. DeeDee also clarified that students can reach out to any professional or institution easily, and that they should take advantage of that instant connection. She commented that to apply for one of the jobs she later got, she “sent a cold email” to a nurse explaining her interest in working in that facility. No formal application, no in-person introduction, just honest outreach.
How can I get a feel for a potential employer’s work culture before starting?
- Dr. Peterson shared that “you might be able to tell a bit about the culture based on how they go about the interview process…how seriously they take it, [if] they communicate well—that will tell you something about their culture.” DeeDee and Susy added that, while scoping out the work environment beforehand is important, students should go in with an open mind and seek to be the change they’d like to see.
How do I find work-life balance?
- Saul shared his first work experience right after graduation. “I was committed to 5,000 hours, and so what I did was work six days a week,” he said. Saul recounted feeling incredibly burnt out and encouraged students to make sure they have other things in their life besides work. “Take some time for yourself. Find some passions, find some hobbies.” DeeDee also commented that while it is stressful, “the beauty of nursing is that you can do anything.” When her night shift became overwhelming with young children, she was able to easily pivot to a school nurse role that let her follow her passion and support her family and live her passion while accommodating her needs.
How they found their way to the FNP program
- Susy commented on the reality of spiritual guidance, stating that she was happy where she was in her career until she felt prompted to try something new. “I’m grateful to be here at BYU where we can talk about spiritual promptings,” she said. “One word of advice to you guys: follow them.” DeeDee added to those remarks by saying that everyone should apply because of how much it “elevates education.” She also counseled interested students to spend time in the workforce and gain experience before applying. Saul summarized his decision with a simple observation about growth: “Once I feel more comfortable with what I’m doing, then I feel like it’s time to do something else.”
How can I stand out as a new graduate?
- Susy made it clear that while having solid nursing skills is critical, strength of character, personality, and ability to really care also make a huge difference. “[Employers] care a lot about how much you care,” she emphasized. “No one can really teach you how to care for people.” She also counseled students to volunteer for everything they can at work, even simple tasks. She used DeeDee, whom she worked with in the field for years, as an example of someone who jumps to fill any role. Susy explained how that makes a big difference in the workplace and stands out to supervisors. DeeDee added a word about applying for high-caliber programs such as Sigma Theta Tau.
Students left the discussion with a greater understanding of how to find the perfect job for them after graduation.