Up Close
By Victoria Bock 2021-2022 Imprint Up Close Reporter
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traditional , two-year ADN program or four-year BSN program have a demanding curriculum to begin with , but some students go above and beyond to increase their involvement within their college or university . One of these students is Aleah Mixon , a senior from Flint , Michigan , attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University . She is one of these students who is filled to the brim with tasks from several different organizations on and off campus . She serves as the president of the North Carolina Association of Nursing Students ( NCANS ), in addition to serving as the president of her school ’ s Sigma Chi Beta Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority . Aleah also actively participates in other organizational activities during her free time — on top of what already seem like a full plate . As a nursing student , Aleah Mixon has made the most of her time in college and is even working on starting up a new nursing student support group at her university .
Aleah Mixon
Nursing students are the future of the nursing profession , and our influence in the nursing profession starts as student leaders . When I asked Aleah how she wishes to influence the nursing profession as a student nurse , she answered simply by being active in organizations outside of the nursing classroom . Getting as involved as you can is the key to furthering your nursing career and success for the future . As I mentioned before , being in nursing school is difficult enough — Aleah acknowledges that and takes it to another level . This wholeheartedly reflects what it means to be a nurse : going above and beyond for your patients to not just care for a sickness , but to care for the patient in a holistic manner . For Aleah , nursing means , “ putting others before yourself .” Aleah exudes dedication and passion for the nursing profession and learning about her involvement as vice president of an organization named TELOCA was an all-encompassing moment for me in learning who Aleah is . Shortened for TEnder , LOving , CAre , TELOCA is a nursing organization dedicated to getting pre-nursing and nursing students active in the nursing profession and NSNA .” This is the staple of Aleah ’ s philosophy of being active outside of the nursing classroom , and she is proud to be able to provide a platform for nursing student advancement .
Just as nurses are advocates for their patients , nursing student leaders are the advocates for student nurses everywhere . Aleah works incredibly hard each day to advocate not only for the nursing students within her organizations , but nursing students across the country . She expresses great empathy for nursing students , advocating because she is now and “ will once have been in their shoes . Staying up long nights to study , sacrificing sleep and hanging out with friends , getting extra tutoring , and even developing anxiety is something I have experienced while being a nursing student . I want to be the voice for students that struggle every day to become the greatest nurse .” Aleah and I were both able to relate to each other in how hard it can be to keep yourself busy , yet feel such a sense of fulfillment when you know you ’ re making strides for and alongside your fellow peers . Aleah described adjusting to COVID-19 guidelines as tough , but she first and foremost made sure her peers were okay . To her , checking in with her organization members to make sure they are all physically and mentally well was her top priority , and I value that quality in a person and student nurse myself . Juggling the priorities of being on an executive board as well as being a nursing student is difficult , but Aleah enjoys the challenge . She aspires to eventually earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in the future , so learning and growing will always be at the forefront of her mind .
Highlighting what just one nursing student does as they learn to become one of the most trusted nursing professionals is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the dedication of nursing students across the country . Aleah ’ s involvement , actions , and ideas encompass all the best qualities of a nurse : compassionate , diligent , selfless , and the list goes on . Her leadership role is one to model after , and I think we can all take a page out of her book of wisdom . n
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