Ava interned for Intermountain as a Patient Care Technician during Winter 2023 Semester.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I was able to use my CNA and work alongside nurses on the cardiac unit at Utah Valley Hospital! I got tons of hands on experience caring for patients hygiene and comfort needs along with inserting catheters, taking out IV's and performing CPR when needed. Ultimately, because of the extra experience I received I stood out in my application and was able to get into BYU's nursing program which I didn't get into the first time I applied! It helped me realize that I really did want to be a nurse before getting started which was comforting.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I learned how to be a leader and a trainer in a hospital setting. Since this was an internship I didn't anticipate having opportunities to teach or train or lead but I was given plenty! I trained a lot of new hires to the floor and learned a lot from those experiences.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
Yes. I realized that I do want to include my nursing career more in my future plans because I loved this internship so much. At first I just wanted to get a nursing degree to have under my belt in case I ever needed to fall back on it and just be a mom who is an RN but doesn't work! But now I know that I do want to include my career in my life as much as I can because it brings me joy and satisfaction!
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
I realized by working this job through BYU and having to write a few reflection papers about it that I was guided by the spirit at work more than I thought was possible. I felt the same way I did on my mission as I cared for patients and I know that is because I was exactly where God wanted me to be doing exactly what Christ would have been doing if He were here. I know that the career path I chose aligned with His plan for me.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
YES!!! Especially if you are an international student (like me, I'm from Canada) and trying to get into BYU's nursing program. This internship allowed me to work off campus and work a job in my future field that would look good on my resume when otherwise as an international student I would've only ever been allowed to work on campus. I don't think I would've got into BYU's nursing program without this internship.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
I LOVED IT. I am willing to help anyone else who is interested pursue this internship! I helped my husband who is also from Canada apply for it and it has been so nice to be able to work together through this internship as well.
