NW Valley Times

Leah Peterson, Olivia Willingham, and Anna Gibb, graduates of Grand Canyon University (GCU), have transitioned from students to professional nurses, now working on the same hospital floor. These 2023 graduates are telemetry nurses at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, renowned for hosting the Barrow Neurological Institute.

These nurses reflect on how transitioning from GCU's nursing program to working together has been comfortable. Olivia Willingham shared her initial nervousness about starting her career, saying, "I remember thinking before I started working how nervous I was about who I will work with and if everyone is going to be so much older than me," she expressed relief at finding familiar faces from GCU.

Anna Gibb expressed gratitude for practical experience gained during clinical placements, stating, "This job is new, and it was a lot at first, but having a little bit of comfortability of knowing the hospital and how things work because of my clinicals is a blessing."

Peterson highlighted the importance of team continuity, remarking, "They come and I go. It's helpful because you get that continuity of care."

Their experiences during their GCU education have benefited their professional roles. Willingham said, "A lot of people say you learn everything on the job, which is true to a certain extent...but I feel GCU did a great job preparing us in every way they could."

Mentoring current GCU students during their clinical placements adds a rewarding dimension to their roles. Gibb reflected, "It's cool to be able to bond with them about GCU classes, professors and telling them what it's been like."

Faith plays a significant role in the nurses' professional lives, as Gibb noted, "The medical field and faith can be very touchy for people, so it has been nice working at a hospital that incorporates it all."

Peterson shared a personal motivation behind her career choice, "When I was younger, I spent some time in the ICU myself...now this is my way to give back."

Izabela Fogarasi of GCU staff contributed to this report.