Hilado, who graduates from the CNL program in May 2023, and will become a pediatric medical-surgical nurse after graduation, is the daughter of two nurses.

Meet Michelle.

Daughter to Filipino parents, both of whom are nurses. Woodbridge, Va., native and inveterate traveler. First degrees in biology and American Sign Language. A member of the great class 2023 who spent the last two years learning to be a nurse through UVA's award-winning Clinical Nurse Leader master's program. After graduations, she's a soon-to-be pediatric medical surgical nurse at INOVA Fairfax.

WHY UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING?

"Something the School has down pat is the faculty. They care about their students' well-being, and do a good job at being understanding and supportive. There are great opportunities here, too, like having clinical rotations at UVA Medical Center and surrounding hospitals, the ability to study abroad, attend and present at conferences, and the chance to tap all UVA and Charlottesville have to offer."

WHAT SHE LEARNED DURING NURSING SCHOOL

"Most of the time, you know more than you think. Confidence is something I struggled with, something that a lot of other nursing students can relate to, but believing in your own abilities goes a long way in terms of a lot, including patient care. Having come into the program with a non-nursing degree, I literally learned what it means and takes to be a nurse - through science, research, ethics, leadership!"

THE SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A WORD?

"Community. It's such a valuable experience to go through this program with a single cohort of people. Even though it's only been two years, it feels like we've been through a lifetime together."

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