“I believe nursing allows me to live out my faith through service; demonstrating worship in action by caring for those in need.”
When Rachel Harding originally chose Gustavus, her decision came down to the look of the campus and the interest of volleyball recruiters. While these reasons were enough to get her to the Hill, they now pale in comparison to the opportunities and support Rachel has received in the Nursing program.
Rachel’s Christian faith drew her toward nursing, allowing her to fulfill her passion of caring for others. And soon enough, she started to see the same passion in the culture of Gustavus. She found a close-knit community dedicated to helping her succeed, even when it meant slotting time into their own busy schedules.
Many faculty members helped Rachel step outside her comfort zone so she could gain confidence in her abilities as a nurse, especially when she struggled at first with clinical simulations. The endless support also helped her find success outside the classroom, and she gained experience from campus organizations such as the Gustavus Student Nurses Association, Gustavus Pediatric Outreach Crew, and the Gustavus mentoring programs. Rachel also practices her nursing skills as a CNA aesthetic assistant at the Mankato Skin Clinic Medspa.
While she still loves the campus and volleyball, Rachel has gained an immense “appreciation for the hard work and resilience required of students here, and [I’m] proud to be part of a college that prepares students so well for success.”