Life changed one day for the subject of this month’s Student Spotlight, when she attended a career fair on her college campus at Northern Illinois University in 2007. Brittney Catalano had been pursuing a degree in Business before she came across a booth at the fair promoting jobs in nursing. The information presented was enough to ignite a transformation in the young student’s thought-process. Reflecting upon her natural qualities of empathy and kindness, she realized that nursing was a better fit for her as a career path.

Initially Brittney began her healthcare training at a local college in the Chicago area. She earned her C.N.A. certification and began progressing through the program until life changes inspired her to take a break. She took a year off, during which time she got married and began looking for a different school. She discovered Ambria College of Nursing and made the decision to enroll soon after. She found in Ambria a program that offered a flexible schedule, no waiting list, and a convenient location. Once she began attending classes however, she found even more qualities of the program to appreciate. Among them is the small and friendly atmosphere that encourages students to assert their individuality on campus. “I’m Brittney here,” she says, “not just a student ID number.”

Perhaps this ability to feel like a recognized and appreciated member of the community manifests itself most prominently in the classroom. Without hesitation, Brittney describes Nursing 103: Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing as her favorite course thus far. Her instructor, Ms. Priscilla Rivera, mentored her through both the theory and clinical components of the class. Brittney credits Ms. Rivera with helping her overcome the natural fear and apprehension that every nursing student experiences. She says of her former professor, “Never have I learned so much from one teacher. She gave me my confidence!”

The lesson has stayed with Brittney throughout her time at Ambria. Confidence, along with compassion and professionalism, is one of the virtues she lists when asked, “What three qualities should a successful nurse possess?” She has done well in taking her own advice too, considering she currently holds a 3.75 GPA and was nominated by Ambria Faculty to be featured in this month’s Student Spotlight.

The twenty-five year old LPN student will be starting Role Transition this January and is scheduled to complete the program in April. After passing the NCLEX exam, she has plans to work for her current employer, Sunrise Assisted Living, as an LPN, and to enter into the ADN Program at Ambria.

• If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?   Chinese food.
• What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day off?  Spend time at home cleaning.
• If you could be any animal for 24 hours what would you be?  A Beagle.
• If you were given a yacht, what would you name it?  “La Vita E Bella” (Italian for “Life is Beautiful”)
• If you would be any flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?  Spumoni. It has a little of each flavor!
• If tomorrow you woke up blind, what would be the one thing you miss seeing the most?  My husband and my dogs.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?  I would want to do mission work somewhere in Africa.
• If a genie could grant you three wishes what would you wish for?  A long life, good health for my family, and lifelong love.
• If you could be on any reality TV show, what show would you choose to be on?  Keeping Up with the Kardashians
• If you had to wear a t-shirt with one word on it for the rest of your life, what word would you choose?  OMG!
• If you could be any Disney character, who would you be?  The Little Mermaid
• If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the leading role?   Kristen Wiig