Nursing Student Seeks National Position

Stephanie’s nursing journey started when her three-month-old daughter was diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus, also known as RSV. Little Annabelle was taken, via ambulance, from Mercy Hospital in Janesville to Rockford’s Pediatric Unit, where she stayed for some time. While on the unit, a second-shift nurse made their stay as pleasant as it could be.

“He was always upbeat, friendly, and fun,” Stephanie recalled. “When he would check on her, he would sing and talk with her. Although she was super sick, she always had a smile for him.” This nurse not only had a bedside manner that kept his smallest patients smiling, but he also worked closely with Stephanie to thoroughly answer all of her questions.

Stephanie noticed this was his manner of interacting with all families. “I truly felt that my daughter was cared for,” explained Stephanie, “and that’s what drew me into nursing; I wanted to be that for other families dealing with health-related issues.”

Annabelle is now a healthy three-year-old and, along with her older siblings, Emmet and Elliott, keeps Stephanie plenty busy while she strives to complete the nursing program here at Blackhawk. During this past year, she’s had to dig deep to take on the challenge of working a full-time 3rd shift job last semester while taking 19 credits.

“My average sleep was 4 hours a day,” she said. “The biggest challenge I faced with that was making sure I could have time for my three kids, their online schooling, my homework, and everyday life.”

Being a student at BTC has pushed her to pursue things she would never have considered. She was never one to join clubs in the past, but she decided to join the Student Nurses Association to network with other nursing students. Since joining, she attended the Wisconsin Student Nurses Convention and was elected President of the Wisconsin SNA board.

“I am beyond excited for this new adventure,” Stephanie exclaimed. “After being elected to that position, I decided I wanted more. I am now running for a Director position with the National Student Nurses Association! I should find out about that position in mid-April.”

“This is a very exciting opportunity for Stephanie and BTC. She has been an asset to our Student Nursing Association, and we are looking forward to her starting the nursing program this fall,” said Mary Mather BTC nursing instructor.

Looking down the road, Stephanie plans to finish her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pursue work as a traveling nurse. In the short term, she’s eager for spring to return in full so her family can get outside, go to the park, and get back on the water where they enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing—the best medicine for recovering from a long Wisconsin winter.

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