Owen Brey, nursing major
The following questions reflect Owen's experiences at WMU thus far:
What made you choose nursing as a career?
I chose nursing as a career through my experiences with loss, seeing how powerful genuine connection is between people and their goals, and the immense enjoyment I get from helping and teaching others. I also want to be a nursing professor later in my career and serve as a role model for young men interested in healthcare.
How did you decide to attend WMU?
I attended WMU because of the wonderful CHHS staff, the well-balanced nursing program, and because campus just felt right.
What has been your favorite class or professor so far, and why?
Aside from my Med Surg class being the right mix of fun and stress with Professor Schieman, I think Pharmacology with Dr Pattison was my favorite class because it was VERY difficult. But, it was interesting and made me grow as a student in order to succeed. There were no handouts, just a clear path to success that required consistent effort.
Tell us about any Experience-Driven Learning you have participated in.
Clinicals are the most important experience-driven learning within the Bronson School of Nursing because it is often the first time you get to step into the role of a nurse and put all the skills, knowledge, and intuition you have to the test... in an educational and engaging way. While some clinicals can be hard, I always leave each semester feeling more confident in myself and my abilities. Some of the favorite clinical days were in Bronson's pediatric intensive care unit. While the situations are dire, it was very eye opening to see how the intensive care nurses truly care for their patients and extended that care to the families as well. I love looking into the details and "the why" of problems which this experience combined very well.
What are you most looking forward to doing after graduation?
After graduation, I'm looking forward most to being done with exams... besides the NCLEX! I'm also excited to move somewhere down south and spend lots more time doing things I enjoy and hobbies I've neglected.
How has being involved on campus shaped your college experience?
Being involved on campus has been an incredibly positive experience! My freshman year I was a Student Ambassador on main campus giving tours and meeting other students. This position helped me grow in confidence, public speaking, and gave me countless friendships! My sophomore year was when I began nursing school. This is when I joined WMU's Student Nurse's Association, which I am now President of), became a Cohort Representative, and started a new Student Ambassador position at CHHS. These positions helped me feel more comfortable at CHHS, made me a more confident man and student, and helped me expand upon my prior experiences. Junior year I began being much more involved with St Thomas Student Parish and joined a men's Bible study. This was possibly the best decision I made in college as it helped me grow in my faith as a Catholic, gave me 6 new friends, and expanded my perception on what college could be especially as a Christian. Going into senior year, I would recommend everyone join at least one student organization, even if it's something you've never done before!
How have you grown personally since starting at WMU?
WMU has been an absolutely amazing experience for me so far. The amount of personal and professional growth I've had since freshman year is mind blowing. My self-confidence was lacking at 18 years old, but through my experiences at WMU, both positive and negative, I have built myself into a great position to start my post grad adult life. These experiences will allow me to live the kind of life I've dreamed of while also being the man I need to be in order to enjoy and appreciate it. College goes by so fast, but it's such an eye-opening time of life that I wouldn't change at all. Embrace the growth.