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“College is harder with a family,” Nelson said.
Nelson now has a husband and two children, ages 9 and 5. Nelson graduated with her first undergraduate degree, a bachelor’s in psychology, in 2004.
Nelson sees it as an honor to be chosen for the Presidential Scholar.
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However, the nursing student never considered a career in nursing until after the births of her children and the comfort she received from staff when her grandmother died.
“My life has been positively impacted by nurses. The field is wide open and in need of new employees, and it’s one of the most versatile professions that exist.”
Nelson returned to school to pursue nursing once her youngest child began school.
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Each year, the Presidential Scholarship recognizes one outstanding Wright State student with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.8. Each college nominates one student to the university president, who makes the final selection.
Nelson has accepted a position at Miami Valley Hospital in the labor and delivery ward. Nelson also has considered pursuing a master’s degree in order to instruct nursing student in the labor and delivery field.
Nelson has one piece of advice for students, and that is to “be confident.”
CASEY LAUGHTER
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