Ivana Pierce ’25 draws on leadership, cultural competence, and adaptability
Major: Nursing
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Best experiences in college?
My spring break study abroad experience (Nursing Service Program) in Belize! I had never had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States. We were able to visit and tour an assisted living facility where a significant portion of the residents were over the age of 100. We also prepared health promotion topics for school-aged children and presented to them over two days. Our group also toured a nursing school in Belize and learned from the students there. The trip also included excursions such as cave tubing, zip-lining through a rainforest, and exploring ancient Mayan ruins.
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| In Belize! |
What’s next after Naz?
Working at Upstate Community Hospital on a medical-surgical telemetry floor.
What are you most looking forward to in your life’s work?
As a nurse, I am most looking forward to being able to help my patients and be a voice of advocacy for them when they are unable to do so for themselves. Nazareth’s nursing program has particularly prepared me to advocate by stressing the importance of leadership and cultural competence.
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| Nursing honor society induction |
What lessons will you take?
The importance of adaptability: Throughout my 4 years here, the nursing program and the University as a whole have taken multiple steps to ensure we are receiving the best education possible. There have been a number of times where being able to adapt to changes was a key factor in my success here. Adaptability is a valued characteristic of a good nurse, and I am thankful for that lesson.
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| Looking back to my first year at Naz, 2021 |
Who’s had a great impact on you?
All of the faculty and staff members in Nazareth’s nursing department have changed my life forever and taught me much more than what's highlighted in the nursing curriculum.
Outside of the classroom, Tonya Guzman, the director in Student Access and Achievement, impacted my time at Naz greatly. She created a sense of community for me here at Nazareth and allowed me to express all of my emotions to her whenever I needed to. The initial transition from living at home and being in high school to living in Rochester was hard for me, and ensured I always had her as a resource of comfort and support.
Part of a Class of 2025 profile series
