Alumni Voices: Undergraduate

Curious about what our Alumni are up to? Now we will share their stories and advice! Check this blog often for updates as we feature stories from our undergraduate alumni. Whether you're anxious about life after nursing school, what to expect in your professional career, wondering about careers in the nursing field or anything else, stay tuned for updates to this blog for loads of insight.

Shaunan Reyes, B.S.'11, RN
Shaunan's Voice: "Remind yourself of why you took the oath as a nurse..."

What is your current position in the field of nursing? I am currently working as an RN on a telemetry/burn unit at Straub Clinic and Hospital in Honolulu, Hi.
What is the most rewarding part of your position? Being able to come home and fall asleep knowing that I spent my day saving lives is the biggest reward any person or professional can have. 
What advice would you give current students who are close to graduation in order to prepare for the workforce?  
Be humble! Nursing school is just the beginning. Being a nurse is very hard work and a HUGE responsibility. Be open to anything and everything and take advantage of every learning opportunity. 
What, if anything, do you wish you had known before obtaining your current position? I wish I knew just how rigorous and taxing being a nurse was going to be. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Losing patients is the worst. As humans we yearn for acknowledgement and reward. As nurses we want to know that our efforts are for a purpose. Being able to remind yourself of why you took the oath as a nurse and to focus on the ones you helped save and move on, is a career/lifelong battle.