Combining two loves

In addition to nursing, Lydia is majoring in theatre. She’s a member of Northwestern’s Drama Ministries Ensemble and has played a role in several mainstage productions. After earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing, Lydia wants to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner in either the mental health or OB-GYN field.

Faith lived out
When I visited Northwestern, I was awed by both the faith-filled community and the astounding nursing facilities. The integration between faith and education was especially important to me as a future nurse, and I knew from conversations I had with both students and faculty that faith was taken seriously here. I was also intrigued by the idea of being able to combine two disciplines that I loved, and my nursing professors were more than willing to work with my crazy double major.

Career choices
I’ve always known I needed a job where I could visibly see how I was helping people, and I can’t imagine a career that does that better than nursing! I had a class at the very beginning of my time at Northwestern that highlighted all of the different paths I can take as a nurse—and, boy, there are a lot! Earning a BSN from Northwestern will open up so many doors for me and is preparing me well for my future career.

Professors and practice
We have some of the most amazing, talented and caring professors teaching us how to be nurses! They see us as much more than a number; they invest in us. We get to learn in labs that look like hospital rooms and are equipped with everything we need to practice. I’ve loved learning hands-on nursing skills! The DeWitt Family Science Center also has an amazing simulation lab, where we get to go through different applications of our skills (and do a little bit of actual acting, so it’s a fun theatre tie-in!).

Relevant learning
All that we learn is so relevant—even in classes that aren’t directly nursing classes. God is in literally everything we do. It’s not unusual for me to have theological conversations with other students in my dorm while going through class notes! There’s always an opportunity to connect whatever I’m doing with my faith. As a nurse, I’ll be in the room with some of the greatest forms of suffering, but I’ll also get to witness God’s redemptive and healing work in the world as I walk with my patients through their journey.