Hannah Tomashek shares her experience as a Baylor online Distance ABSN student. View her testimonial below.
Read full testimonial transcript below.
What inspired you to become a nurse? Do you have a personal story to share?
I wanted to work for an upper-level healthcare program, and I thought working in the hospital would be very good experience. As soon as I started working alongside the nurses, I saw that they were the patient's number one go-to. They were the people that were really bringing the comfort for their patients and reassuring them, helping them with anything they needed. I felt called to do that with my career.
Why did you decide to enroll in Baylor's ABSN program?
I decided to apply to Baylor because I went to Baylor for undergrad. And I love, love, love Baylor, the culture, the emphasis on Christianity. The professors were amazing, and I knew immediately during our welcome week for this program that the professors really cared about us, that they were going to support us every step of the way.
What does it mean to you to be a Baylor nurse?
It means to pursue the highest level of excellence I can. I want to keep a good name for the school that I love, and for those that have supported me along the way. And to be able to say that I'm a Baylor nurse will be a big honor.
Tell us about your experience so far during the on-campus immersion. What is it like to meet your professors and peers in person?
Immersion has been amazing. The testing has been stressful, but the professors were very particular, so I feel prepared going into clinicals. Also, meeting my classmates has been so good, I'm looking forward to our classes because now that we're friends, all our studying will be better and more engaging. And the professors are amazing. I know we're all nervous and they've just been so reassuring and so helpful and they really, really care about us being successful and feeling confident.
Tell us about the virtual courses. What are some of the online course features that you find to be the most impactful and engaging?
Patient care simulation has been so cool because the [online] patients respond as if they were real patients, and we got a ton of practice doing health assessments.
Did you have concerns before enrolling or about choosing a second career? What changed?
I had concerns about the cost, but I realized that Baylor's one-year program, compared to the other programs was faster. [It] lets me start making my salary so much sooner than the other programs.
What advice do you have for potential students who are considering enrolling in Baylor's Online ABSN program?
I would definitely say to take the leap of faith, I couldn't have imagined a program that's set up with more support than this one. From the people that are helping you apply, to the professors, to your cohort. So, take the leap of faith. It'll be good.
Why should others consider nursing as a second career?
I think others should consider nursing as a second career because it embodies one of the main ways that we are called to serve as people. It's really beautiful being able to take care of other people. I think a lot of that can be lost in the busyness of our world today, and so coming back and really knowing what a person needs and how to take care of them, it brings us back to what life is about.
