Why Become a Nurse? Aliyah’s Story

Each student at Averett’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program has their own story of why they chose nursing as their dream career. So why become a nurse? Learn Aliyah’s story about how she chose nursing and the ABSN program.
At 9 years old, Aliyah contracted a rheumatic fever that arose because of strep throat. Throughout this illness, she was never alone. “I had a lot of great nurses and doctors who helped me that just really stuck with me,” she says.
Now, at age 27, she draws from this experience to fuel her journey to discovering nursing. “I knew I wanted to do something in medicine and just trying to figure out where it was that would fit in best,” she says.
However, Aliyah did not decide to be a nurse in the beginning. She completed her undergraduate degree in public health and began working first. That is where she was exposed to the healthcare field and learned where she best fit. She shares, “I interned at a local hospital and fell in love with nursing.”
The ABSN program was ideal for Aliyah in this stage of her life. With its 16-month format, it is geared towards students with previous college experience who want to get into the field quickly.
“I did not want to go back to school for four years for nursing,” she says. “And having this as an option was very appealing to me.”
For anyone interested in nursing or the ABSN program, Aliyah says, “Remember why you want to be a nurse when you’re feeling discouraged or overwhelmed.” She shares that it will be challenging, and you will have to work hard, but “you just have to know why, stay focused, and keep your head up.”
Discover your “why” today and speak with our admissions team by completing the online form. absn.averett.edu/contact-us/