Trailblazer Sydney Anderson is passionate about volunteering in the community, and she is hopeful that by doing so, it may increase her chances of being accepted into DSU’s Nursing Program.
Dixie State University’s Nursing Program is competitive. They only accept 48 students each fall and spring semester. The program requires 10 prerequisite courses, CNA certification or LPN licensure, a CPR card, and immunization records.
The applications are scored on holistic admissions criteria, rather than just good grades and high test scores. The Nursing Program suggests that the most competitive candidates will have all prerequisites completed, some employment experience in a public or healthcare setting, and volunteer or community service.
In an effort to serve the community and better her chances of having her application accepted, Sydney spent much of her college semester at a local non-profit animal rescue organization, P.A.W.S., as she prepared to apply to nursing school. Sydney has volunteered for three semesters now, accumulating about 75 hours in service commitments.
P.A.W.S. “Providing Animals With Support” rescues, adopts, and provides healthcare to animals in need as their mission statement fosters the tagline “Until they have a home.”
Because of her love of animals, Sydney was grateful to know that volunteering with animals would better her chances of being accepted into the nursing program.
“I really wanted to find volunteer work that was similar to healthcare, and I wasn’t sure how similar it would be working with pets,” Sydney said. “But it is actually really similar – we give them shots and the animals are very similar to humans.”
Although Sydney wanted to originally help in a healthcare setting for humans, COVID-19 guidelines prevented her from doing so. Instead of waiting for opportunities, Sydney took initiative and used the knowledge she gained in the classroom to care for animals.
“It’s been a really good active learning experience,” Sydney said. “It’s cool to see how we take our experiences in the classroom and turn them into real life practices.”
Not only is Sydney an exceptional volunteer and student, but she is also a DSU ambassador. Sydney spends countless hours committed to making DSU and the community a better place for others. Beyond the classroom and outside of her service endeavors, you may find Sydney hiking, swimming, or doing anything outdoors.
As Sydney spends the end of her sophomore year reminiscing, she is grateful for the opportunities that DSU has provided.
“On Monday, I turned in my nursing school application,” Sydney said. “I’m feeling incredibly happy and lucky for how well Dixie State has prepared me for this moment. Not only did I get help with my actual application in the career center, but DSU helped me learn how to be successful in the classroom, how to find volunteer work with student clubs, how to have professionalism while working on campus, and so much more that will help me to be a great nurse.”
In expressing her love for DSU, Sydney hopes to be accepted into the nursing program so she may stay in a place she calls “home” a little longer.
To learn more about the DSU Nursing Program, please visit health.utahtech.edu/nursing.
