On Tuesday, October 8th, BYU College of Nursing hosted a “Speed Nurseworking” event in the Engineering Building. The event was for all nursing students, as well as College of Nursing alumni. With so many potential roads to take post-graduation, the goal was simply to help nursing students get informed about some of the amazing careers, internships, and other experiences available to them. Tables were set up in a conference room, dinner was provided, and in typical speed-dating fashion, nursing students were given time to move around and network with nursing alums.
“Nursing” is a broad term that can open the door to many different careers. Some BYU students go on to the graduate program to become Family Nurse Practitioners, others go to work in a variety of settings from schools to hospitals, and some do international work! The sky’s the limit, and while that’s fantastic news for nursing students, it can also be overwhelming. As such, these opportunities to connect and get the inside scoop from individuals with experience in the field are invaluable as students forge their path forward.
Antonio and Brianna Francis, a young couple who are both in their fourth semester of the program, attended the event hoping to make connections with experienced nurses and get a feel for what positions they might pursue. Sean Borla, a third-semester student, came to the event hoping to learn about potential post-graduate opportunities such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) training.
Eliza Woods, also in her fourth semester, walked out of the Nurseworking event feeling optimistic about her future career path. She appreciated the opportunity to connect with nurses from a variety of backgrounds and specializations. Eliza said that it was nice not only to learn about their careers, but about some of the more minute details of their work like covering night shifts, handling odd jobs, and other details that can make or break a job. Getting the insider perspective and hearing grounded insights is worth gold when navigating a career, and this event was invaluable in fulfilling that aspect of learning.
Eliza also expressed how great it is to network with experienced nurses and find potential opportunities for work. She said that more nursing students should take advantage of this chance to network, saying that it’s a great opportunity not just to get career advice, but to find potential job openings. She mentioned a connection she made with a particular nurse at a previous Nurseworking event who offered her a potential job after graduation. Months later, as she was contemplating what sort of career she’d like to pursue, she remembered that connection made through Nurseworking. Reflecting on that special opportunity, Liza had this to say:
“I was really excited to have made that connection because it’s hard to feel like you’re networking enough as a nursing student.”
BYU College of Nursing has a strong alumni base that has gone on to influence the nursing community in incredible ways. Those in attendance at the event had a great time meeting and mentoring the students. Several alums commented on how they were able to help the students and what they enjoyed about the Speed Nurseworking event:
- “I was able to connect a student with others who work in their area of interest so they can meet with them to determine their next steps.”
- “I loved meeting the students and talking with them about their goals and interests. It was so fun to be with them!”
- “It was so fun seeing the eagerness of these new students and inspiring them on ways to make their own lives better as well as making a difference in their patients’ lives.”
The event was organized in conjunction with BYU Student Nurses’ Association (SNA), a group within the College of Nursing dedicated to supporting nursing students and helping them make connections. When asked why SNA creates these activities, associate professor and SNA sponsor Dr. Bret Lyman said, “A big part of it is enhancing the student experience. They have their classes, and this adds professional development opportunities, service, and other connections outside of class.”
The event was a success, and many students left with a better idea of what they’d like to pursue and how to do it. More activities will follow as the semester goes on, helping students illuminate their path and take advantage of the numerous opportunities available to them. To see the full calendar of nursing events, click here.