Lewis is known for its outstanding reputation in nursing education, creating innovative leaders in a safe, supportive environment. Bernetta and Kristlin were no strangers to that feeling, especially as adult students trying to balance work, personal life, and now school.
They arrived in class early to prepare and stayed late to review material and study with one another. Bernetta recalled several times where staff at the Oakbrook campus happily agreed to stay late so they could continue studying. “The Oakbrook campus was so conducive to learning for us graduate nursing students who were juggling a lot.”
Bernetta and Kristlin even put in extra hours and each practiced on rag dolls at home!
After all of their hard work, Bernetta was not ready to let it all go so quickly.
“I was so impressed by all of my classmates. We learned together, we struggled together, and, most importantly, we could just be us together. I wanted to find a way to hold on to that comradery and also allow future students to feel the same type of support.”
Bernetta proposed the idea of starting a scholarship for future nursing students, and to no surprise, Kristlin agreed!
“Everyone at Lewis was so kind and I loved the idea of being able to pay it forward through a scholarship,” says Kristlin. “Many say that the Lewis mission comes to life on campus, and I can truly feel that. I am so connected to Lewis and everyone there, and I ‘m excited to be able to give back to such a great place!”
“The nursing program at Lewis is challenging. I want to make sure that future students feel supported and get the encouragement, as well as financial resources, they need to feel confident enough to go after what they want,” adds Bernetta.
From the young age of 8, Kristlin has been passionate about helping others after having to care for her great grandmother who suffered from cancer. For Bernetta, her passion came a little later in life; after the birth of her first baby to be exact. As a new mother, she turned to her nurses in the hospital for extra support and guidance – that is when she knew it was her calling to be a nurse and provide for others as they did for her.
Bernetta and Kristlin both faced obstacles that have allowed them to understand the importance of this type of work. They have been called to serve others in this special way, just as future young men and women will be too.
“This is our opportunity to encourage future students; to show them that we pushed through and persevered and got to where we are today, but not alone. We want them to know that they can do it, and that one day, they can give back too,” says Bernetta.
“It is my hope that whoever is the recipient of this scholarship in the future feels inspired to pay it forward. I want them to look at us, two women who were once struggling nursing students but are now one step closer to success, and see us as role models,” adds Kristlin.
Their annual scholarship will allow current and future Flyers to explore their passion and pursue their calling as a nurse. And in each person that those students serve in the future, Bernetta and Kristlin’s gift will continue to be at work. Their act of kindness to change one life will, in turn, impact thousands.
They arrived in class early to prepare and stayed late to review material and study with one another. Bernetta recalled several times where staff at the Oakbrook campus happily agreed to stay late so they could continue studying. “The Oakbrook campus was so conducive to learning for us graduate nursing students who were juggling a lot.”
Bernetta and Kristlin even put in extra hours and each practiced on rag dolls at home!
After all of their hard work, Bernetta was not ready to let it all go so quickly.
“I was so impressed by all of my classmates. We learned together, we struggled together, and, most importantly, we could just be us together. I wanted to find a way to hold on to that comradery and also allow future students to feel the same type of support.”
Bernetta proposed the idea of starting a scholarship for future nursing students, and to no surprise, Kristlin agreed!
“Everyone at Lewis was so kind and I loved the idea of being able to pay it forward through a scholarship,” says Kristlin. “Many say that the Lewis mission comes to life on campus, and I can truly feel that. I am so connected to Lewis and everyone there, and I ‘m excited to be able to give back to such a great place!”
“The nursing program at Lewis is challenging. I want to make sure that future students feel supported and get the encouragement, as well as financial resources, they need to feel confident enough to go after what they want,” adds Bernetta.
From the young age of 8, Kristlin has been passionate about helping others after having to care for her great grandmother who suffered from cancer. For Bernetta, her passion came a little later in life; after the birth of her first baby to be exact. As a new mother, she turned to her nurses in the hospital for extra support and guidance – that is when she knew it was her calling to be a nurse and provide for others as they did for her.
Bernetta and Kristlin both faced obstacles that have allowed them to understand the importance of this type of work. They have been called to serve others in this special way, just as future young men and women will be too.
“This is our opportunity to encourage future students; to show them that we pushed through and persevered and got to where we are today, but not alone. We want them to know that they can do it, and that one day, they can give back too,” says Bernetta.
“It is my hope that whoever is the recipient of this scholarship in the future feels inspired to pay it forward. I want them to look at us, two women who were once struggling nursing students but are now one step closer to success, and see us as role models,” adds Kristlin.
Their annual scholarship will allow current and future Flyers to explore their passion and pursue their calling as a nurse. And in each person that those students serve in the future, Bernetta and Kristlin’s gift will continue to be at work. Their act of kindness to change one life will, in turn, impact thousands.
No comments:
Post a Comment