Jennyfer Avila-Zavala
Paly Class of 2019
Nursing, University of San Francisco (Class of 2023)
Nursing, University of San Francisco (Class of 2023)
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Why did you decide to study nursing?
I have always wanted to do something related to healthcare. In my teens, I liked the idea of nursing and also psychology. At Paly, I took a class in Human Anatomy and Physiology with Randy Scilingo, and it was the most influential class of my high school years. After taking that class, I became interested in all aspects of the human body and health.
I decided on nursing because I noticed, when I was at a hospital, that nurses were the ones who were always present with their patients, and the relationships between nurses and patients seemed so meaningful. I felt that patients were often more honest and truthful with their nurses than they were with their doctors, and I really admired that nurse-patient connection.
How did you choose the USF nursing program?
When I was looking at programs, I knew I wanted to stay in California. Our state has great resources for nurses and wonderful training programs. I looked at both the Bay Area and Los Angeles. USF has one of the best nursing programs in California. Class sizes are smaller and students can easily connect with professors, so that was important to me. USF also offers three years of clinical experience and direct entry into nursing. I also like that USF has many easily accessible resources, such as a career center that can help with resumes and applications.
How has RTE made a difference in your decision to pursue a nursing degree?
When I was choosing USF, I knew that a private college would be more expensive. Without scholarships from RTE and other organizations, I would not have been able to afford college. I’ve been working since I was 15, but I knew the money I saved would not be enough.
Kimberly Schwan from RTE was a wonderful mentor and helped me so much with resources and support through her ongoing check-ins throughout my four years of college. I’m grateful to the RTE staff and to Kimberly for all of their help.
Did other adults help support you?
While at Paly, Crystal Laguna, one of the outreach/college counselors, also helped support me by answering many of my questions about college plans and coursework needed throughout my time at Paly.
At home, I also talk with my older sister, who was applying to medical school. At USF, many of my classmates have family members who are already nurses and doctors. My sister and I don’t have any relatives in healthcare, so we will be the first in our family to work in the medical field. We support each other.
As part of your USF program, where have you had the chance to train?
At USF, students start clinical rotations in their sophomore year. So far, I have worked at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford Children’s Health (Labor and Delivery), John Muir Behavioral Health, Jo Ruffin Place in San Francisco, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. I have had an opportunity to see many different medical facilities, and, with the pandemic, there have obviously been many challenges and changes in our training.
You have mentioned your interest in pediatric nursing. What are some of your experiences working with children?
Over the years, I have had different jobs with school-age kids and really enjoyed working with them. In high school, I worked at the Palo Alto Family YMCA in their Kids Club. While in college, I also worked with preschoolers in an afterschool program at Mission Montessori preschool. It was definitely a challenge to work and be a nursing student at the same time!
What are your plans after you graduate from USF?
In February, I will be applying to Stanford Hospital’s “New Grad” Program, and will take my licensing exams in June. If all goes well, I hope to start working in July.
Congratulations to Jennyfer on her upcoming graduation from USF!
I have always wanted to do something related to healthcare. In my teens, I liked the idea of nursing and also psychology. At Paly, I took a class in Human Anatomy and Physiology with Randy Scilingo, and it was the most influential class of my high school years. After taking that class, I became interested in all aspects of the human body and health.
I decided on nursing because I noticed, when I was at a hospital, that nurses were the ones who were always present with their patients, and the relationships between nurses and patients seemed so meaningful. I felt that patients were often more honest and truthful with their nurses than they were with their doctors, and I really admired that nurse-patient connection.
How did you choose the USF nursing program?
When I was looking at programs, I knew I wanted to stay in California. Our state has great resources for nurses and wonderful training programs. I looked at both the Bay Area and Los Angeles. USF has one of the best nursing programs in California. Class sizes are smaller and students can easily connect with professors, so that was important to me. USF also offers three years of clinical experience and direct entry into nursing. I also like that USF has many easily accessible resources, such as a career center that can help with resumes and applications.
How has RTE made a difference in your decision to pursue a nursing degree?
When I was choosing USF, I knew that a private college would be more expensive. Without scholarships from RTE and other organizations, I would not have been able to afford college. I’ve been working since I was 15, but I knew the money I saved would not be enough.
Kimberly Schwan from RTE was a wonderful mentor and helped me so much with resources and support through her ongoing check-ins throughout my four years of college. I’m grateful to the RTE staff and to Kimberly for all of their help.
Did other adults help support you?
While at Paly, Crystal Laguna, one of the outreach/college counselors, also helped support me by answering many of my questions about college plans and coursework needed throughout my time at Paly.
At home, I also talk with my older sister, who was applying to medical school. At USF, many of my classmates have family members who are already nurses and doctors. My sister and I don’t have any relatives in healthcare, so we will be the first in our family to work in the medical field. We support each other.
As part of your USF program, where have you had the chance to train?
At USF, students start clinical rotations in their sophomore year. So far, I have worked at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford Children’s Health (Labor and Delivery), John Muir Behavioral Health, Jo Ruffin Place in San Francisco, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. I have had an opportunity to see many different medical facilities, and, with the pandemic, there have obviously been many challenges and changes in our training.
You have mentioned your interest in pediatric nursing. What are some of your experiences working with children?
Over the years, I have had different jobs with school-age kids and really enjoyed working with them. In high school, I worked at the Palo Alto Family YMCA in their Kids Club. While in college, I also worked with preschoolers in an afterschool program at Mission Montessori preschool. It was definitely a challenge to work and be a nursing student at the same time!
What are your plans after you graduate from USF?
In February, I will be applying to Stanford Hospital’s “New Grad” Program, and will take my licensing exams in June. If all goes well, I hope to start working in July.
Congratulations to Jennyfer on her upcoming graduation from USF!