CTK Alumna Closer to Achieving Her Dream Nursing Career

Kealani Williams ’23 took a large step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a nurse this summer. The rising Loyola University Chicago senior completed a 7-week paid externship at the Loyola Medicine Burn Center. As she begins her final year at Loyola, the dedicated nursing student shared with us her path and experiences through CTK and college, as well as what lies ahead for her.

How did you become interested in nursing?

When I was little, I was inspired by a St. Jude’s Children’s hospital commercial about the treatment of children with cancer. It made me sad, but also to have a desire to help sick kids. Originally I considered becoming an oncologist, but over time, once I learned more about the medical field, I became more interested in helping out at bedside and saw that I could do that as a nurse. 

How did a Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) assignment while at CTK influence your career decision?

Before my senior year at CTK, I let the CWSP team know I was interested in health care. I was assigned to work at Advocate Illinois Masonic hospital. I mostly transported patients to and from their appointments. I made good connections with the patients, creating bonds and caring for them. It was my first time in a hospital setting, and just observing how all of the staff, from nurses to receptionists treated patients, made me want to work in that type of environment. I remember sitting down one day at work and writing “I really can’t wait to be a nurse.” My CWSP job gave me a foot in the door, and now I will be the first in my family to go into the healthcare field.

Why did you choose to go to Loyola University Chicago?

 I selected Loyola in part because I wanted to stay near home in Chicago. Also, the  nursing program had a great reputation and is highly ranked in the US. It was important to me to pick a college that supports me academically, but also socially. I love being there. I’ve made strong connections with friends and teachers.

Tell us about your Cristo Rey Network Scholarship.

When applying to Loyola, I learned there was a full tuition scholarship opportunity available to students from Crist Rey Network schools, like Christ the King. The application process included essays and interviews. I was nervous but when I found out I got the scholarship, I called my mom who was so excited she took the rest of the day off from work! Cristo Rey Scholars fall under Loyola’s Academic Enrichment Programs. We come together for meetings, get togethers, and academic & social support. It has helped me to make connections with other students, and I may not be here without it.

What was your adjustment like going to Loyola from CTK?

I loved my teachers at CTK, all of their teaching styles matched my learning style. I felt prepared for college, but I needed to adjust to different teaching styles. At Loyola, everything was fast paced with more material crammed into each 50-minute class. I needed to be more self-reliant to be prepared for homework assignments and tests. I went to group tutoring where an upper-class student provided instructional help to five of us. I also went to teachers’ office hours and studied both on my own and with classmates. It ended well but it was a tough adjustment at first.

As a nursing major, what has been your progression at Loyola?

I’m on a 4-year track for my bachelor’s in nursing. All nursing majors start with base science courses 1st year, and classes are stacked and linear so you progress from pre-requisites to higher level classes like pathology/physiology during junior year. That’s when classes got more challenging, but I like them. During junior year we also do our first clinical rotations providing exposure to different specialty areas. Even though we are just observing because we are not licensed, It’s good to watch what nurses are doing, and it helps to determine your best fit specialty.  

How did your recent summer externship at Loyola Medical Center come about?

After our first clinical rotation during junior year, I applied for and got my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. In the spring, when applications became available for summer externships, certain requirements were needed to be eligible, and getting my CNA certification helped me to stand out. During my Loyola Medicine externship  interview, the Burn ICU was listed among possible assignments. It piqued my interest as something you don’t hear much about. During my summer 7-week summer externship I worked as a student nurse under an assigned preceptor in the Burn ICU at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood,  

Can you share more about your externship and its impact on you?

My externship included meaningful learning experiences working in a hospital under and alongside a nurse. It gave me a lot of patient interaction. The patients in the Burn Unit were often in a lot of pain. I needed to be there for the patient for baths and dressing changes. I would often provide comfort by squeezing a hand. It was a warm feeling to know the patient is leaning on you. You can’t learn about or experience that in the classroom.

What qualities did you observe in the experienced nurses you worked with that you’d like to emulate?

I saw the positive impact a nurse can have on patients. I admire their commitment to caring for patients. They try to limit a patient’s pain as much as they can, whether through medication, or talking to them to take their mind off of their situation. Like them, I hope to be a nurse who  is caring, empathetic, and selfless.

What’s next for you this school year?

I’m looking forward to my senior year. I’m someone who focuses on academics and nursing activities, but I hope to carve out more time to hang out with my friends exploring new restaurants and the city. I was asked to continue to work part-time during the school year as a Patient Care Technician in the Loyola Burn Center, which I’m excited to do. During the second semester, we have a capstone assignment where we select a specialty area. I’m considering the Emergency department as well as ICU. I will eventually need to apply for jobs in the spring, and study for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse after graduation.

What advice do you have for current CTK seniors?

Weigh all the pros and cons to select a college that is the best fit for you.  Go in confident, but you will likely experience some challenges and culture shock at first, so persevere. Remember to ask for help and use the resources available to you. I had a bumpy start and it helped to form study groups. Don’t try to do it alone, there are others experiencing the same thing as you.