Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BYU COLLEGE OF NURSING MEMORY?
Verna Nelson (BS ’58)
Being in the third class to graduate from BYU College of Nursing, we were pioneers in many ways. We were transitioning from the hospital style of nurses training to a collegiate program. We lived together in the nurses’ home by LDS Hospital for several semesters; it was like living in a college sorority. We not only studied and worked closely with our classmates, but we had parties, went to church together, and became very close friends. I was privileged to be on the BYU student nurse basketball team, which played games against the student nurses from the University of Utah, Weber State, Holy Cross, and St. Mark’s. Great memories!
Janie Ford (BS ’78)
I remember when I laid next to a patient—a young mother dying from cancer— in her hospital bed. I gave her an intramuscular injection for pain and hit her femur because she was so thin. I was devastated; she invited me to lie down by her and told me it didn’t hurt. It was a moment of bonding, and a dying patient helped soothe my soul.
Ethel Tovar Christensen (BS ’06)
That final capstone semester of nursing was honestly one of my favorites. I loved every hour I spent learning from my preceptors and hearing about different adventures from my peers in other units. My best friends from the nursing program have remained my friends to this day. I will never forget seeing all our professors lined up to greet our class of nursing graduates at the commencement procession into the Marriott Center at graduation. They challenged us to be our best and held us to the high standards of excellence that BYU College of Nursing is known for and cheered us on as we spread our wings to join the nursing profession.
Q: HOW HAS STUDYING AT A CHRIST-CENTERED UNIVERSITY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU PRACTICE NURSING?
Susan Shumway Connell (BS ’73)
Brigham Young University and BYU College of Nursing taught me that each individual is a child of God. Trying to treat others as God would treat them made me a nicer person.
Robyn Budge (AS ’74)
The teachings and principles of Christ’s gospel have helped me see each person as a child of God, despite our variety of differences. I have been checked in moments of judgment, and my words and actions have been inspired for the better. The gospel has helped me see death as a transition.
Janel Hillstrom (BS ’05)
Immense help comes each day from God’s guidance. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ each day that I take care of God’s children.
Q: WHO INSPIRED YOU DURING YOUR TIME AT BYU COLLEGE OF NURSING?
Leanne Bedell (BS ’71)
Barbara Robinson (BS ’50), who was my instructor for obstetric nursing. It was she who inspired me to become a nurse midwife.
Susan Shumway Connell (BS ’73)
Chloe Tillery (BS’ 58), one of my professors, stands out in my mind. Her patience with a naive, young student gave me hope that I could do it.
Robyn Budge (AS ’74)
Other nursing students who were in the same boat, looking for the oars and the nearest lighthouse. Instructors that made themselves approachable. Others who reminded me that (1) process papers and fluid and electrolytes were not all there was in life, and (2) humor and laughter are legitimate prescriptions.
Beth Vanderwalker (BS ’95)
My mother provided so much love and support throughout the program. I had a baby while going through nursing school, and she came for months on end to help me get through clinicals.
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE FROM YOUR GLOBAL AND POPULATION HEALTH NURSING PRACTICUM?
Rachel Sheets (BS ’08)
One of the highlights of our group visit to one of the main hospitals in Australia was the opportunity to work directly with patients. I’ll never forget helping to bathe a sweet elderly woman who, in the most charming Australian accent, told me, “You have to clean me all the way down to my toots!” (meaning her toes). It was both heartwarming and a little funny, a moment that really stuck with me. Beyond
the hospital, we built great relationships with the local staff. They even hosted us for a traditional “barbie” (Aussie barbecue), where they prepared an incredible spread of delicious food and shared their favorite recipes with us. It was a wonderful way to experience Australian hospitality firsthand.
Annelyse Caffrey (BS ’20)
One of my most unforgettable experiences during my Global and Population Health Nursing Practicum happened while working in a rural healthcare facility in the Czechia. The language barrier was a real challenge—most of the staff and patients didn’t speak English, and while we were supposed to have translators, there simply weren’t enough for all the care that needed to be provided.
Before the trip, I had been practicing Czech on Duolingo, hoping to communicate better with patients. Feeling somewhat confident, I walked into a patient’s room, having understood that they needed a catheter inserted. I did my best to explain the procedure in Czech, but as soon as I pulled out the catheter, the patient’s eyes went wide in absolute shock. He quickly shook his head and said, “No, no, no!” That’s when I realized my translation was off. I was only supposed to collect a urine sample, not insert a catheter! Thankfully, I caught my mistake before doing anything invasive, and we all had a good laugh afterward.
That moment taught me just how crucial clear communication is in patient care—especially in global health settings where language and cultural differences can impact every interaction. It was a humbling, eye-opening experience that reinforced the importance of patience, learning, and adaptability in nursing.
