Nursing major Kristen Medlicott is ready to explore the world
As soon as Kristen Medlicott ’21 has passed her nursing exams, she’s planning to explore and serve across the world. First, she’ll visit to Grand Teton National Park for a 10-day backpacking trip. After that, she’ll head to Spain to participate in the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP), an educational outreach program for college and post-grad students from North America and Canada.
“Those accepted into the NALCAP will work with elementary and secondary schools as an English teaching assistant while also learning and adapting to the different cultures within Spain,” Medlicott said. “I am excited to find out where in Spain I will be placed and cannot wait to further develop my Spanish minor and language capabilities.”
Once Medlicott is home from working with the NALCAP, she plans on joining the Peace Corps. Her application is still under review, but she already has a preliminary placement in Guatemala in 2022 working with women and infants.
Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric oncology nurse for cancer patients. “My capstone took place in an outpatient oncology clinic, and one of my first hospital volunteer experiences before coming to Salve was also on an oncology unit,” Medlicott said. “To say I fell in love with the specialty is an understatement. I hope to work in New York City with this patient population and then see where that takes me.”
Medlicott was accepted to 10 undergraduate nursing programs throughout the country, but Salve Regina’s program stood out. She believes that the most important lessons she learned at the University were how to collaborate with others and be an empathetic individual who continues to fight to make the world more harmonious, just and merciful.
“With nursing, I will interact with many different individuals from many different life paths,” she said. “My ability to be involved in so many programs and organizations – such as First Year Transitions peer mentoring, Surf Club, the Female Empowerment Organization, Sigma Phi Sigma and Sigma Theta Tau – have helped me develop these values. I have met so many amazing individuals, all of whom are motivating and who encouraged me to be my best self. Thank you, Salve, for making every moment memorable and for making me a better person.”
