Julie Jones
TBSN x’24
Hometown: Middleton, WI
What has been your favorite class or unit in the nursing program?
My favorite class in the nursing program has been pathophysiology.
Where have your clinical placements been? And what were your experiences like?
I’ve had clinical placements on the following units: Neurology at University Hospital (D6/4), Medical-Surgical at East Madison Hospital (5th floor), and Solid Organ Transplant at University Hospital (B4/6). I’ve greatly enjoyed my clinical experiences! Starting clinicals in an instructor-led group facilitated the experience. I love being able to learn hands-on skills and apply the knowledge that we learn in class. It was great being able to form connections with both my peers and the health care staff on the unit. I also liked having the opportunity to explore different specialties and determine various likes & dislikes. My clinical experiences provided a lot of insight into the nursing profession.
What are you involved in outside of nursing school?
I work as a nursing student ambassador for the School of Nursing. In this role, I help represent the School of Nursing in a variety of ways and work with different stakeholder groups. I also work as a nursing care partner at University Hospital (UWH). I can function as a health unit coordinator (HUC) or patient safety observer (PSO), and I’m able to float to any unit in UWH or American Family Children’s Hospital (AFCH)! It’s been great to gain more experience in a clinical setting and exposure to different units. I’m also the chair of the Global & Public Health Committee for Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). HOSA is a student organization on campus for people who are interested in the health care field. I also enjoy working out, reading, and spending time outside.
What are your nursing goals or career aspirations?
After graduation, I would like to work in pediatric nursing. I plan to pursue further education to become a pediatric nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist!
How would you describe the culture of the nursing program?
The culture of the nursing program is collaborative! The students that I have encountered thus far are friendly and supportive. We all want to succeed in our future nursing careers. The nursing program has an emphasis on wellness; many students and professors are very understanding about mental health, and the program hosts wellness events to promote well-being, which is neat!
What advice would you give individuals interested in pursuing nursing?
I would advise individuals interested in pursuing nursing to talk with health care professionals and get more experience in clinical settings! At the beginning of my college career, I wasn’t sure what career I was interested in. Talking with professionals in the fields that I was interested in was insightful and instrumental in my decision to pursue nursing.
What’s on your Spotify/Pandora/Apple Music playlist?
I enjoy most genres of music, but some of my favorite artists are Ed Sheeran, Noah Kahan, and The Beatles!
What is your favorite UW tradition?
Jump around at the football games!