"The nation is aging. By 2040, about one in five Americans will be age 65 or older, up from about one in eight in 2000." - Urban Institute, 2014
Through the experiences of caring for my grandparents, I developed a deep passion for serving older adults. I gained firsthand insight into both the strengths and challenges of long-term care that led me to pursue a career where I can make a meaningful impact in the lives of older adults and their families.
"I grew up helping my mother care for her parents who both lived with dementia during the final years of their lives. Through the experiences of caring for my grandparents, I developed a deep passion for serving older adults. I gained firsthand insight into both the strengths and challenges of long-term care that led me to pursue a career where I can make a meaningful impact in the lives of older adults and their families.
I am studying healthcare administration with a minor in gerontology. My ultimate goal is to become a nursing home administrator, ideally specializing in memory care. I hope to dedicate my career supporting individuals living with dementia and enhancing their quality of life.
I currently work at the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness and as an Activities Associate on the memory care unit at West River Health Campus. Additionally, I helped restart the Stellar (Students and Elderly Linking Around Relationships) student organization. This summer I have been serving as a strategy intern at Ascension St Vincent Hospital. In the Fall, I will begin ºÚÁϳԹÏ's Administrator-in-Training (AIT) program."
My long-term goal for my nursing career is to be a hospice nurse. I am not sure where I will work immediately after graduation, but I know it will be the first steppingstone on the path to providing the highest quality of end-of-life care possible.
"I have always loved talking to and caring for older adults. When I started college, I knew I wanted to work with older adults in some way. I randomly began taking Gerontology courses to fill credit hours, and I fell in love with it.
I absolutely adore caring for older adults, especially patients that are diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's or other variations of brain change. I have found a passion in caring for this patient population, and I know that wherever I work after I graduate, that will be the population I gravitate towards.
I am currently doing my Nursing practicum on the oncology unit at Ascension St Vincent, and the highlight of my time there has been the conversations and connections I have had with my older adult patients. My favorite memories from my time here have been caring for the patients who are on comfort measures, which typically means they are approaching the end of their lives. I find my purpose in caring for these patients, making them comfortable, advocating for them and forming deep connections with their families and loved ones.
My long-term goal for my nursing career is to be a hospice nurse. I am not sure where I will work immediately after graduation, but I know it will be the first steppingstone on the path to providing the highest quality of end-of-life care possible.
Prepares students for careers dedicated to enhancing population health and well-being.
63 or 66 credit hour major
18 credit hour minor
10 credit hour certificate
15 credit-hour certificate
1,040 hour residency
3 credit hour class
63 credit hour major
1,040 residency with exam prep classes
12 credit hour certificate
10 credit hour certificate
15 credit hour certificate
The ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to fund scholarships for ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Administrator-in-Training (AIT) residency program or any academic major, minor or certificate program offered in gerontology.Â
Complete your AwardSpring application to determine your eligibility for this scholarship (and many more) in the upcoming academic year.
HP 3007