Allison Rosch
- Golden Valley, Minn.
- BSN (bachelor of science in nursing)
- What's next: Spending June studying for the NCLEX, the board certifying exam to become a registered nurse; then taking an African overland safari before starting work in September at UW-Health Hospital in Madison
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
Allison Rosch took what she describes as a "diverse" approach to her UW-Eau Claire education.
From a study-abroad experience in Costa Rica to a spring break spent volunteering with the homeless in Washington, D.C., to helping to create public health messages for a local Hmong radio station, Rosch has prepared herself well to enter the work force as a culturally competent nursing professional.
In addition to immersing herself in different cultures as an undergraduate, Rosch participated in faculty/student collaborative research that examined the cultural competence of UW-Eau Claire alumni who are practicing nurses. She also chose cultural competency as one of her areas of emphasis in her work in the university's Nursing Honors Program.
Rosch, selected as the nursing program's 2008 Outstanding Senior, noted the advantages of being a part of a class of 40 students during her nursing studies.
"This was such a blessing, as our class and professors were able to form exceptional relationships," she said. "I had the perfect match between a small, intimate class setting and a larger campus atmosphere."
More on Allison Rosch
Future plans: I plan to spend the month of June studying for the NCLEX, the board certifying exam to become a registered nurse. Then I’m off on an African overland safari traveling through five different countries — South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique — and London on the way back. I start work in September at UW-Health Hospital in Madison on the neuro intensive care unit as a registered nurse. After getting some experience in the hospital, I plan to attend UW-Madison’s DNP (doctorate of nursing practice) program.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: I participated in the first Costa Rica nursing study-abroad program during the summer of 2006. There, I studied Spanish for health care and the Costa Rican health care system, and I lived with a host family who did not speak any English! Needless to say I brushed up on my Spanish skills left over from high school and completely immersed myself in the culture and language. After study abroad I traveled to Nicaragua.
Once admitted to the nursing program, I was in a class of 40 other students for the rest of my undergraduate education. This was such a blessing, as our class and professors were able to form exceptional relationships. I had the perfect match between a small, intimate class setting and a larger campus atmosphere.
I embarked on a volunteer trip to Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the church adjacent to campus and the social work program. In D.C. I volunteered at Charlie’s Place soup kitchen for the homeless and assisted in the free immunization clinic, food preparation and providing guidance for the homeless Spanish-speaking population. I also volunteered at Luther Midelfort in the critical care unit as a freshman student.
I truly appreciated the diverse approach to my education in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. We were exposed to an extensive variety of nursing professions, those in and outside of the hospital, and became well rehearsed in the teaching process, alternative therapies and therapeutic communication. I appreciated the zest and energy for learning within the program, as many of my professors were going to school themselves and portrayed to their students a true love for lifelong learning in the ever-changing field of medicine.
What she liked most about her UW-Eau Claire experience: I liked most the laid-back nature of the students, the beauty of the campus — trails, parks and the river — and simply making this city my own. Summer, by far the greatest season in this city, has a lot to offer, including Express baseball games and floating down the river.
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire: One of the highlights of my UW-Eau Claire experience was my involvement in Hobnailers, the outdoor adventure group on campus. We rock-climbed, camped, surfed and biked. My favorite trip was a 150-mile biking and camping trip down the east coast of Florida for spring break. On this trip I learned the true meaning of “packing light,” as we carried all our food and equipment on the backs of our bikes! These trips provided a nice break from the rigors of school and an easy way to find yourself quickly out in the great outdoors.
Other highlights:
- My decision to participate in the Nursing Honors Program: My emphases in the program were cultural competency and labor and delivery. Through the attainment of eight additional credits, I created an educational display board addressing LBGT issues in health care, explored the history of birth in the United States and much more. Overall, I gleaned a deeper appreciation and understanding for a wide variety of cultures and the natural process of birth.
- I held a position as student nurse intern in fialysis for a year at Luther Midelfort Hospital. Through this internship I was given the ability to perform as a nurse and refine the skills necessary to work as a new nurse graduate. Through this wonderful experience I developed a close-knit supportive networking system with other nursing professionals in the Eau Claire area.
- I was given the opportunity to work closely with a nursing professor as a research assistant.
- Nursing is truly the combination of all disciplines. Through one clinical experience I was given the opportunity to assist in acquiring grant money to purchase a defibrillator for the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic.
- I also worked in collaboration with members of AmeriCorps to write public health radio scripts for the local Hmong radio station addressing healthy eating and living habits.
Proudest college accomplishments: My proudest moment while attending UW-Eau Claire was receiving the letter from the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences informing me of my acceptance to the nursing program. Another one of my proudest accomplishments while pursuing a UW-Eau Claire education was to be one of 100 senior students to win a nomination for the Outstanding Senior Award. Another experience I enjoyed was the opportunity to tutor other pre-nursing or nursing students in the Student Success Center in the nursing building for two semesters.
Advice for incoming students: Be yourself and make this experience your own. Four years (or sometimes five or six) will come and go with an ever-increasing pace. The professors are approachable if you need help; just go and get it — the resources are available!
Learn about other featured May 2008 graduates
