Getting through nursing school is tough, but it鈥檚 possible. That鈥檚 one of the messages Yodit Tesfaluel hopes to convey to the students she connects with at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 skills lab, where she volunteers.
A 2022 graduate, Tesfaluel knows how meaningful that help and encouragement can be.
鈥淭here are three professors that played a huge role for me,鈥� Tesfaluel said. 鈥淜yle VanderSchick, Jessica Sandstrom and Fernanda Fortuna. They played such a pivotal role when I was in nursing school.鈥�
Tesfaluel learned about WPU鈥檚 nursing program from her mentor while she was at Portland State University. She was in cohort five of the nursing program, so it was still pretty new, she said.
鈥淚t was such a diverse group of people,鈥� Tesfaluel said. 鈥淚 felt so welcomed. It was something way beyond, more than I ever would have dreamed of.鈥�
Her parents were very supportive. She was able to live rent-free at home so she didn鈥檛 have that additional stress.
鈥淚 volunteered while in school,鈥� Tesfaluel said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that I鈥檝e always enjoyed doing鈥攖hat feeling of just helping other people and getting to know other people. I truly do enjoy it.鈥�
That love of helping grew from her childhood and the example her parents set.
鈥淲hen I was younger, my parents just did so much stuff in our community; it was just part of our lives,鈥� Tesfaluel said.
Now she works in the ICU and IMCU at Legacy Meridian Park.
鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed science and learning about human anatomy,鈥� Tesfaluel said.
As a nurse, she enjoys thinking through the pathology and helping people understand what鈥檚 going on with their bodies.
鈥淚 really enjoy helping and being there for them,鈥� Tesfaluel said.
She also knows how her presence can put people at ease. Tesfaluel said she鈥檚 been very lucky and has always had great experiences with doctors, but she knows that isn鈥檛 the experience for a lot of people, including some of her friends.聽
鈥�(It can help) just to have someone who looks like them and be able to understand (their experience) on a deeper level,鈥� Tesfaluel said.
That sense of being seen and belonging is something she felt as a student at WPU.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the biggest thing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very welcoming environment, a great community that helps you thrive and be the best version of yourself.鈥�
The nursing program moved to the main campus this term, improving the student experience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 literally amazing,鈥� Tesfaluel said. 鈥淲hen I was in nursing school, we were offsite. When I first looked at (the new facilities) I was shocked. It gives you an idea of what it looks like in a hospital鈥攖he suction canisters, the bed.鈥�
The setup gives students an opportunity to learn how to maneuver around in a hospital room.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really great,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be super helpful to the cohort currently and the future ones. It鈥檚 a huge benefit to everyone.鈥�