New Student Orientation & Transition Programs

Emily

PAWS Mentor

Year - 5th Year

Major - Nursing and Public Health

W-Wildcat Moment: My proudest moment was my acceptance into Chico State's Registered Nursing Program and also representing our wonderful Orientation team as Spirit of Orientation for 2021!

I-Involvement: I've been fortunate to have many different opportunities to get involved both at Chico State and within Butte County! This is my 4th year with Orientation & New Student Programs as an Orientation Leader and a  Peer Mentor, assisting our incoming First Year and Transfer students. I also have experience as a Campus Tour Guide through Chico State's Office of Admissions, showing off our beautiful campus to current and prospective students. This academic year, I held an officer position as Lead Mentor for The Chico State Nursing Club's MAPS Mentorship Program. MAPS is a free program through the Chico State Nursing Club to connect pre-nursing students with a current nursing student mentor. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, learn about Chico's RN program and other helpful campus resources. During my First Year at Chico State, I volunteered through CAVE (Community Action Volunteers in Education) at two of our local animal shelters; Butte Humane Society and Chico Animal Shelter. I loved working with animals but found my love for working with people to be even greater! I've been an active volunteer at Enloe Medical Center (our local hospital in Chico) for a little over 3 years now and have experience in the following different volunteer areas: Emergency Department, Guest Services, Enloe Cares Team, annual vaccination clinics, blood drives, and helping cuddle newborns in the Mother Baby Care Center. Let me know if y'all want to talk about volunteer opportunities! :) 

Here is my volunteer story with Cuddle Care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzdzWojMrLo

L-Live: I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA! Although, after living here in Chico for 5 years I've considered Chico to be my home away from home. 🙂

D-Degree: I am pursuing two Bachelor's of Science degrees, one in Nursing and one in Public Health! I did my two years of Pre-Nursing pre-requisites (the classes you take before applying to nursing school) at Chico State. I then found the Public Health major through our Health & Human Services majors that are closely aligned with Pre-Nursing classes, to help students expand their knowledge in a health-related field while still on the path to getting into nursing school. I gained additional knowledge within these Public Health classes and was still able to apply to nursing programs each semester. In Fall 2024, I will be graduating with two Bachelor's degrees, a Public Health Nurse Certificate, and be eligible to take my NCLEX-RN. Looking back over the last 5 years, I am grateful to have shaped my experience at Chico State based on my personal and academic goals. I really do feel that each opportunity has helped me grow as a person and will help me be a better nurse one day! 

C-Chico: As much as I miss the variety of food options in Sacramento; my hometown cannot compete with the level of support I've received through different organizations & departments at Chico State! I do feel like I am a part of the close-knit community at Chico State. 

A-Aspirations: I am not quite sure what specialty of nursing I'd like to pursue, although I've considered Flight Nursing or L&D/Postpartum/NICU nursing. My lifelong goal is to continue to provide support to others (I will always cheer you on in the background!!🙂) and continuing to advocate for ways to promote a healthy community. 

T-Tell: I checked off one of my bucket list items this year! I went on an outdoor rock-climbing trip for the first time with Chico State's Adventure Outings. 10/10 would recommend! 

Portrait of Emily