On November 5, BYU College of Nursing held their annual Graduate Program Alumni Dinner, where graduate students, alumni, faculty, and their families enjoy a night of recognition and reunion. Together, they celebrated achievements and caught up with former classmates and mentors from their time in the graduate program.
Preceptor of the Year Award
Stephanie Miller (MS ‘15) was awarded the Preceptor of the Year, nominated by both students and faculty. She has been a preceptor for BYU College of Nursing for five years, ever since women’s health became part of the core clinical rotation for FNP students. Stephanie was humble about receiving the award, praising other preceptors she knows and saying they would be just as worthy: “It feels undeserved.”
Her students, however, believe Stephanie absolutely deserved this honor. When asked about her experience with Stephanie as a preceptor, second-year FNP student Rebecca Drake shared, “Stephanie is an extraordinary preceptor because she really gives students the opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience, and she’s really good at helping guide you through clinical while you’re brand new without making you feel less-than... I can ask her any question, even the smallest thing.”
[Stephanie] is who I would aspire to be: If I am half the provider she is I would be thrilled.
When asked what made her want to volunteer as a preceptor, Stephanie said “I think just having gone to school here and knowing the difference it makes to have a good area to go in... We didn’t get a lot of women’s health experience when I was doing my preceptorship, and I just think it's important for people to have that exposure.”
Stephanie’s favorite part of being a preceptor has been the people, remarking “BYU and their FNP students are the best... the people—they’re so great. I consider them friends.”
Stephanie currently works at Valley Women’s Health. She “loves women’s health through all stages of life.” She believes that God’s daughters are extraordinary, and she’s often reminded of this by the wonderful women she encounters in work.
Student of the Year Award
Mariita Carter, currently in her second year of the program, was awarded Graduate Student of the Year. Her nomination was left a surprise until Dr. Craig Nuttall called her up to the stage. “I had no idea! I think everyone in my cohort is so incredible, so I was not expecting this.”
To her professors and peers, however, her nomination was no shock. Dr. Neil Peterson said that she “helps not only herself but others around her to be calm and thoughtful about what they do.”
Cardon Schiess, also in her second year of the program, said “Mariita is the sunshine of our class! She’s so fun, and she makes everybody feel so happy and feel loved.”
[Mariita] has a really great positive attitude. She’s super resilient... She’s just a model student.
Mariita said that her time in the FNP program has been “challenging but also strengthening spiritually.” When asked how she felt about receiving Graduate Student of the Year, Mariita said, “I’m so honored. I’m so thankful that they would even think of me.”
Connections That Last
For many, the highlight of the night was catching up with old friends. People shared hugs as they arrived and caught up on each other’s lives. The room was lively all night, with kids playing and people moving around the room to visit other tables. It was clear to see that being an alum of the BYU College of Nursing graduate program means being part of a close-knit community.
Dr. Peterson said he loved “just being able to be around friends... I know basically everybody here. I’ve sent patients to a lot of these—I was going to say students, but most of them aren’t students now, they’re providers!”
He also remarked “I get to see these students progress, not only as students, but then as providers... and now they’re preceptors of our students. It’s like we’ve seen them grow up.” For Dr. Peterson, this is the best part of the Graduate Program Alumni Dinner.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the BYU College of Nursing graduate program. During that time, the master’s degree program, including the current Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, has seen more than 600 graduates.