A member of Bowling Green State University’s first set of nursing graduates said her instructor’s excitement about the field inspired to be a positive force of change within the profession.

“The nursing program at BGSU fostered my passion for nursing,” said Anna Winger in a university press release. “I see my professors’ enthusiasm and deep love for nursing, and I want to carry that into my career. I want to help people rediscover their love of nursing despite all the challenges.”

As Falcon Media previously reported, the university developed and built the program throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the program being new, Winger said the professors proved to be nothing short of amazing.

“We are all going through this new program for the first time together. [The professors] genuinely care about us and our success,” said Winger.

Additionally, Winger said she appreciates the faculty’s eagerness to solicit feedback through the use of semester-based surveys to improve the experience of future nursing students.

Winger also said she received a great deal of support and outreach from the nursing staff, and even shared that it was not uncommon to receive responses from faculty in the late evening hours as well as on the weekends. She also stated she liked having her opinions valued.

Student support is a core value of the program, according to Dr. Annette Oberhaus, an associate professor and skills lab coordinator in the School of Nursing.

“A student’s first nursing program is always the hardest,” said Oberhaus. “They need encouragement along the way, and I feel that’s our role as faculty members.”

She added students require encouragement and reassurance.

“We don’t want to provide false reassurance, but we must acknowledge and empathize that what they’re going through is difficult,” said Oberhaus.

Oberhaus also said it’s important to model the behavior you want to see in others.

With degree in hand, Winger looks to pass the NCLEX, the nursing licensure exam, and transition into a yearlong nursing residency program in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital in Toledo.

“With something as specialized as the NICU, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue learning from and observing nurses with more experience,” said Winger.

Winger said she appreciates the knowledge obtained while at BGSU and expects it to be a valuable asset.

“The nursing residency will help me build on the skills I learned at BGSU to ensure I provide my patients with the best care possible,” said Winger.

Oberhaus said she expects Winger will be recognized for her leadership skills, demonstrated both inside and outside the classroom.

“Anna displays professional behavior in all she does and is an ultimate team player, consistently doing whatever it takes to get the job done well. She will be a fervent advocate for her patients,” said Oberhaus.

For more information about the School of Nursing, visit the program’s website.