Broken Leg Sparks Nursing Career for Class of 2014 Alumna

Katie’s nursing career journey began at an early age. Two of her favorite classes at Hamden Hall were AP Biology with Science Dept. Chair Dr. Gina D'Angelo and AP chemistry with Dr. Frank Gasparro.

 
“I kept my notes from both classes. They helped me immensely with my undergraduate nursing science classes,” recalled Katie. “But I was really inspired by the nursing staff at Yale New Haven who cared for me when I was in recovery at the hospital after breaking my leg my sophomore year at Hamden Hall.”

After Hamden Hall, Katie graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. When she wasn’t in classes, Katie worked as an emergency medical technician for the Mansfield Fire Department.

“It gave me a taste of patient care,” recalled Katie. “I was so nervous to interact with patients in the beginning, but now it’s second nature. It was a great first experience!”

Katie also volunteered for Global Brigades, where she traveled to Panama with 23 other UConn students, planning and running a free medical clinic for the people of Juan Díaz.

“It was amazing to see a community without all the essentials that we take for granted,” reflected Katie. “In addition to taking vitals and assisting the medical team, we built showers and latrines and planted coffee plants in the community of La Candelaria. It was eye opening.”

If that wasn’t enough, Katie has worked at Yale New Haven Hospital - in college and grad school - as a patient care associate for a year, registered nurse in the Cardiothoracic & Vascular Step Down Unit for two years, and registered nurse in the Surgical/Trauma ICU for four years.

“My advice for anyone wanting to be a nurse: find the floor that you would eventually like to work on and apply there to work as a student,” recommended Katie. “That way, they will know you, and it will make it easier when you apply there for a full-time job.”

When she’s not working, Katie and her boyfriend of 6 six years, Austin, do crossfit together and they bought a home in Branford where they live with their cat, Charlotte.