challenges along the way. One of the most difficult moments came recently when she was grieving the loss of her aunt who raised her while she was living in the Philippines. The experience reshaped the way she approaches teamwork and leadership.
“ It taught me how to be vulnerable and how to delegate tasks or ask for support on the floor,” she says. Recognizing when to pause and care for herself, especially in moments that involve patient care, became an important lesson. Listening to her own body and stepping back when necessary has helped her remain present and effective in the work she does.
Throughout her education, clinical training has been one of the most transformative aspects of her development. Working alongside physician preceptors has allowed her to practice at an advanced level while still under guidance.
“ Being able to operate like a resident under preceptor oversight has evolved how I operate not only in my work as a Registered Nurse but also as a future FNP,” she explains. The experience has strengthened both her clinical confidence and her understanding of how collaborative healthcare teams function.
For nursing students who may feel uncertain or overwhelmed by their path, Apostol offers simple but powerful advice. That is, to be patient with yourself.
“ To be able to confirm what you want to do as a nurse and how to serve your patients comes with time,” she says. Exploration, networking, and advocacy are key parts of that process.“ Try everything. Grab yourself a seat at the table by networking and advocating for yourself through shadowing opportunities.”
Looking ahead, Apostol’ s vision for the future remains firmly rooted in advocacy and community care. After graduation, she hopes to eventually work as a Family Nurse Practitioner with Planned Parenthood, where she can continue supporting women of color and LGBTQ + patients through integrated primary care and sexual and reproductive health services.
“ My goals after graduation would be to eventually become an FNP at Planned Parenthood,” she says.“ I am passionate about advocating for women of color and the LGBTQ + community through the intersection of primary care and sexual and reproductive health.”
She remains open to beginning her career in primary care or urgent care, recognizing that many paths can lead to the same mission.
“ If I could work with their organization right after I finish this program, that would be a dream,” she says,“ even if it’ s somewhere else that is like Planned Parenthood.”
For Apostol, the goal has always been within reach. Through clinical care, research, and leadership, she hopes to help bridge persistent gaps in healthcare access, advocate for policy reforms, and advance health equity for BIPOC communities at the systems level. Her work, shaped by family, mentorship, and resilience, reflects a vision of nursing that reaches far beyond the bedside and into the future of healthcare itself.
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