My name is Molly Melton, and I am a senior in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of South Carolina. I will be graduating in May of 2019 with my four-year degree and be preparing to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse. I also graduated with an Associate of Science Degree and earned my Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) in the Research Pathway in May of 2017. During my time in USC’s College of Nursing, I have been given the opportunity to work in many clinical rotations, perform multiple simulations, as well as volunteer to show other students (college and grade school) what being a nurse and going through nursing school embodies. I believe that participating in these countless Within the Class (WTC) and Beyond the Class (BTC) experiences has helped me learn and grow as a future healthcare professional. These experiences have not only helped me mature as a future nurse but have given me the opportunity to pursue Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement for my BSN degree.

 

 

Following in my mother’s and grandmother’s footsteps, I knew I wanted to become a nurse, but I was not sure what field to pursue. When I began high school, I became involved in Sports Medicine. I was involved in Sports Medicine until I started my junior year of college. I fell in love with being a student athletic trainer and developed a passion for emergency medicine and trauma. I was a student athletic trainer for six years helping to take care of athletic injuries in the sports of football, basketball, and soccer. I have splinted many fractures and called several ambulances in my time as an athletic trainer and wanted to be involved in the fast-paced environment of emergency medicine as a professional career.

 

 

After I graduate with my BSN degree and become

a registered nurse, I would like to work in Carolina’s

Medical Center’s (CMC) Level 1 trauma unit. During

my years of working at CMC and gaining experience,

I plan to earn my EMT certification and then my

Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Medicine.

After finishing my additional degrees and certifications,

I would like to apply to be on CMC’s flight team and

work with more severe trauma. 

 

 

Throughout nursing school, I have been given many opportunities to learn new clinical skills as well as share my passion for nursing with many other students. I was exposed to the numerous fields of nursing early which helped secure my decisions that I was going into the right profession, one in which I can help other people. In my key insight, Early Exposure, I share some of these experiences that include both Within the Class and community experiences. During many of those same experiences, I was also able to become involved in learning physical skills outside of the classroom. In my key insight, Enhancing Learning Through Active Involvement, I speak of the importance of physically practicing skills that are taught in the classroom. Physically practicing skills has made me a more competent student nurse in my clinical rotations. In my last insight, Treat Each Day as an Interview, I speak about how in nursing school, whether you are in the classroom or the hospital, you are always being observed. The adults observing you could be the ones whom you ask to write you a reference or one of your future employers. I hope to help other students in the future have opportunities such as myself to experience the field of health care and to practice become a more confident student nurse. Please see my Leadership section on how I plan to achieve this goal of giving students this opportunity.