“I transferred to Quinnipiac during my sophomore year of college. I was looking for a place that felt like home after feeling very out of place at my last school during freshman year, but I still wanted to go to school out of state,” she said. “Even with my first steps on campus, there was something that just felt comforting about Quinnipiac.”

Wright, a graduate of the accelerated nursing program, wanted to be a nurse since she was 13 and pursued her goal despite discouragement from previous advisers. Though she wasn’t immediately eligible for Quinnipiac’s nursing program as a transfer student, mentors recommended she major in health sciences as a helpful precursor to studies needed to enter the nursing field.

“I also minored in psychology and business, which gave me a very well-rounded perspective on the ‘adult world’ and what I would be working in someday,” said Wright. “I continue to find business and psychology are prominent in healthcare.”

Wright is grateful for the clinical experience she gained during her experiences, as well as the career prep Quinnipiac offered her. Particularly helpful were resume templates and guidance on how to register for the NCLEX exam (a competency exam taken by graduating nursing students) and gaining a nursing license.

She also appreciates the skills she gained working in the admissions office, which was part of her financial aid package. Wright fulfilled administrative tasks and conducted campus tours.

“This was a great experience. I not only had a lot of phone practice working with other students, but I gained a lot of important skills such as public speaking skills and communication skills,” she said.

While Wright felt she succeeded in high school with a rather minimum effort, she cites the intensity of her studies at Quinnipiac as a welcomed challenge that pushed her to fully utilize her focus and discipline. This dedication was fruitful, and Wright graduated Summa Cum Laude.

She is now a registered nurse at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont. Wright works on Miller 3, a specialty surgery unit treating urology patients and individuals recovering after cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.