Megan Chalfant

megan chalfantWhat is your major?
Nursing

What is something you wish everyone knew about your major?
There are so many opportunities in nursing outside of a traditional bedside role. Nursing school prepares a nurse generalist that can think critically and apply the nursing process to different patient populations. Nurses, however, are needed in so many different environments and can positively impact every population they interact with.

What was your most impactful class?
Ethics in nursing with Professor Heidi Monroe. I took this class with eight other students during Spring Quarter 2020, just as COVID was increasing in caseloads. As a small class we were able to discuss many topics including moral resilience, genetics, neonatal resuscitation, end of life, and global health policy. In each class session, a guest speaker would share their personal story and, as a small group, we were able to engage in conversation about the intertwined nature of healthcare and ethics. This class provided a foundation of ethical principles that I now apply into my clinical practice. I am so appreciative of the honest and thought-provoking conversation we were able to have and would encourage any nursing student to take this course and any non-nursing student to take a similar ethics course.

What are some of your career goals?

Because nursing is not limited in specialties, I can see myself having multiple career paths within nursing. However, one of my career goals is becoming an occupational health nurse specialist and helping create supportive, safe, and healthy work environments for nurses and healthcare professionals.

What advice do you have for incoming students?
Stay curious and know that you have a lifetime of learning ahead of you. It is easy to get so focused on the next exam content and feel like you are confined to specific topics to learn. I would encourage each student to find classes that they enjoy and if nothing works in your schedule to find opportunities to listen to a podcast, read a new book, or have a conversation with someone from a different major that you find cool. Also, be curious outside of academics — a new club, learn a new sport or instrument, or find a new hobby. It’s amazing how many opportunities present themselves when you can replace fear with curiosity. Keep at it, Falcons!