For our next Scholar Highlight, we reached out to our senior 2020 Rudd Scholar, Quintin Combes, to share a little about him choosing nursing as his career, what his experience has been, and what advice he has for others thinking about choosing this career path.
Tell us a little bit about how you decided to go into Nursing as your career:
I chose nursing out of the blue really. My original degree was Farm and Ranch Management, but I decided to take a CNA course my senior year of high school and fell in love with healthcare. After that, I devoted my studies to nursing and started to work in the healthcare field as a CNA.
What would you say has been the toughest aspect of Nursing?
The hardest part of nursing is the content. There is so much that goes into nursing education that many people don’t think about. Nurses interact the most with patients and have to provide care to meet physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.
What has been the most enjoyable?
I have enjoyed the relationships I have built. The professors are amazing and want us all to succeed. I feel so supported and valued as a student and a future nurse.
How have you been challenged being a male going into a female dominated profession?
I am no stranger to the discrepancy male nurses experience in the healthcare setting. Many patients may prefer a female caregiver and I respect their decision. As nurses, we are here to provide the best care to patients while respecting their needs and wishes. As a male nurse, I do not hold myself to higher standards than other nurses and respect the wishes of all patients.
How do you feel the Rudd Foundation has supported you in education and professional development?
The Rudd Foundation has been a huge support for my education and professional development. From resume building to interview assistance, the Rudd Foundation has helped me prepare for a future in nursing.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I am currently applying to several different hospitals in different specialties. I aim to work in either labor and delivery or a pediatric unit, but I have not ruled out working for other specialties as well. There are so many options with nursing and I am sure I will change specialties several times throughout my career.
What advice would you give to students wanting to go into Nursing?
It is a very demanding career but it is also very rewarding. Make sure you are dedicated to the career before investing yourself into the nursing education. I would recommend shadowing a nurse for a day or even several shifts and go through a CNA course to determine if you really like the healthcare field.
Anything else you want to add?
There is no wrong or right way to become a nurse and if that is the path you decide, never compare yourself to others. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and that is what makes the healthcare field so diverse. We have teams for a reason so just try your best and don’t be afraid to stand out or go off the traditional path.
Quintin has been on quite the journey through his college experience at Fort Hays State University. Through starting the program as a sophomore (classified as a Junior), navigating through a pandemic, and being able to graduate a year early, he has excelled in the classroom and through his clinicals and experience in hospital settings.
We are beyond #ruddproud of Quintin for always pushing himself and using his Grit and Determination to pursue his dream of becoming a nurse. We know his future will be bright.
