Megan Wertjes
- Necedah, Wis.
- BSN (bachelor of science in nursing)
- What's next: Working as a staff nurse in the Trauma and Life Support Center at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison
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Photo by Tom Brunette |
Early in her college career, Megan Wertjes entered training to become an emergency medical technician — a move that ultimately led to her decision to pursue a nursing degree.
Nursing, Wertjes said, seemed to be a natural fit based on what she loves about her work as an EMT, which she has done with the volunteer fire department in her hometown of Necedah since 2005 and with the Stratford Fire Department since fall 2007.
"I think what I love about it the most is that each call is a new unique experience," she said. " I love the challenge of putting the pieces together and deciding what will help the patient most. In addition, I have learned a lot about my fellow humans — how they live, how they feel and react, what they value and need."
Wertjes, who attended all of her UW-Eau Claire classes at the Marshfield site of the university's nursing program, said she valued the small class size and in-house clinical experiences offered through the program at St. Joseph's Hospital. Taking her classes in Marshfield also allowed her to live close to her family in Necedah and to watch her younger siblings grow.
Highlights of her UW-Eau Claire nursing education included the opportunity to work on several research projects, Wertjes said. Two of those projects focused on special needs children in the health care setting — a topic of significant interest to Wertjes because she has helped to care for her younger siblings with special health care needs.
"I understand through being there what it is like to be at the receiving end of specialized health care — as well as the general ignorance that is out there," she said.
Participating in faculty/student research helped her envision her own transition from a student to a working professional, Wertjes said.
"I got to get to know some great faculty and community members who have demonstrated to me how I can transition into a productive, professional member of my community and make a difference."
More on Megan Wertjes
Future plans: Immediately after graduation, I will be starting as a staff nurse at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison in the Trauma and Life Support Center. My future plans are to continue working as an EMT with a service in Madison as well as to pursue my master's degree in a few years.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: My UW-Eau Claire experience has been anything but ordinary, and that is the best part. I did not expect to attend UW-Eau Clarie, but rather fell into it when I found myself once again living with my family in rural central Wisconsin with a newfound desire to become a nurse. I think a part of me has always wanted to be a nurse, but as I got older and worked as a small-town volunteer EMT, I realized that it was perfect for me. I chose to attend the UW-Eau Claire nursing program's Marshfield site because I wanted to continue working as an EMT in my hometown and also be close to my family. I think a lot of UW-Eau Claire students do not realize that the Marshfield site exists, and that is a horrible shame because the super-small class size (23 total) and wonderful in-house clinical experiences are our greatest advantages.
Once in nursing school I wanted to try and learn everything. I am a tidbit enthusiastic, and that was motivation to complete the honors program as well as participate in one student-faculty research project and spearhead another one. My honors project focused on my long-term love and experience with children with special health care needs.
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire: Having never lived there! By attending class through the satellite nursing program in Marshfield, I was able make my college experience uniquely my own. I chose to live close enough to my family to watch my younger siblings grow. I got to learn and practice my chosen profession in my community with the neighbors I see every day.
Proudest college accomplishments: My favorite UW-Eau Claire experience was spearheading my own student-faculty research project, even though research still makes my stomach spasm. Through this experience I learned how to take my love and excitement for something and turn it into useful data for making change.
Advice for incoming students: Make your college experience yours, be untraditional. College is a time to discover who you are and all the possiblities the world has for you, so do not get trapped in the pop culture mindset of what college is. Be bold, break the mold.
Learn about other featured May 2008 graduates
