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Kaylen Harrison moved from New Orleans to Lafayette to enroll in the ŷ������Ƭ’s prestigious nursing program.

“I was told UL Lafayette had an amazing nursing program, so that sealed the deal,” Kaylen said. The fact that the ŷ������Ƭ was close to home was a bonus.

Since she joined the nursing program, Kaylen’s been challenged in her classes and her clinicals.

“Even though UL Lafayette’s nursing program and I have a love-hate relationship, my favorite part about it would have to be the clinical portion,” Kaylen said. “Learning the duties and responsibilities of a nurse is great, but actually performing those activities is completely different. You began to feel as though you’re actually a nurse.”

Her favorite clinical class was NURS 308: Adult Health and Illness I — a class that was “tough” but also “really hands-on.”

“Not only are we doing vitals, administering meds, and giving bed baths, but now we are starting IVs, inserting catheters, and inserting/removing NG (nasogastric) tubes,” she said. “It was challenging, but we were finally able to really be a part of the patient’s care.”

For Kaylen, she’s learned more than how to care for a patient — she’s also learned dedication.

“This is far from an easy major. The number of hours I’ve put in studying for tests and the number of times I’ve had to practice my skills for check-offs is exhausting to even think about,” she said. “There have been so many times when I’ve wanted to quit, but that’s where that dedication comes in, and you realize how rewarding this will be in the end.

“And lastly, this program has taught me how to learn from my mistakes and improve myself as I move on. It’s crucial lessons like those that I truly think will help me in the future.”