This is a multi-part series celebrating Arizona College of Nursing students, their stories, and their embodiment of the AZCN values.
In 2023, Arizona College of Nursing established the AZCN Values Scholarship Fund as a way to celebrate our values with our colleagues, our students, and the communities in which we serve. Each time an AZCN colleague recognizes another colleague for demonstrating our values, $5 is added to the scholarship fund. These add up to $5,000 scholarships awarded to students the following year who have demonstrated our values within their communities.
Join us in celebrating 2024 AZCN Values Scholarship recipient Eliza Smith as she shares some of her journey to nursing:
Meet Eliza Smith: Student Leader, Author, and Advocate for Mental Health
Meet AZCN Values Scholarship Recipient, Eliza Smith, a Nursing Student at the AZCN Tampa Campus. Eliza is the Campus Student Nurse Association (SNA) Vice President, a peer tutor, and a published Author of a Mental Health poetry book.
Empowering Others Through Words and Action: Eliza’s Essay
Before I explain how the AZCN values influence my daily life, let me introduce myself. Hello! My name is Eliza Smith, and I am in my fifth semester at AZCN-Tampa. At 18 years old, I am a published author of a book on mental health poetry and have spent 10 years competing in pageants. On campus, I am well known as a peer resource. I have served as a Federal Work-Study Peer Tutor, am currently the Vice President of the Student Nurses Association, and act as a PAL Mentor. These roles have taught me the importance of making a positive impact on others in my community.
Passion: My journey at AZCN has been fueled by a deep passion for nursing and a desire to support my peers. As a former FWS peer tutor, I had the privilege of helping fellow students overcome academic challenges, ensuring they have a solid understanding of the material. However, even though I may not be a work-study student, I extend my resources and support to those around me who are in need! My enthusiasm for nursing is contagious, as I strive to inspire those around me to pursue excellence in their studies and future careers. I truly have a passion for helping others.
Excellence: Excellence is not just a goal; it is a standard I uphold in every aspect of my life. As the vice president of the Student Nurses Association, I have worked diligently to organize events and activities that promote professional development and community engagement. I have also maintained a high academic standing, striving to deepen my knowledge and skills in nursing. This commitment to excellence ensures that I am well-prepared to provide the highest quality care to my future patients but also be able to provide them with education to make informed decisions regarding their care.
Adaptability: The evolving nature of healthcare requires adaptability. Throughout my academic journey, I have learned to navigate various challenges with resilience and flexibility. Whether adapting to new learning environments or staying updated with the latest healthcare practices, I embrace change and view it as an opportunity for growth. This adaptability will be crucial in my nursing career, allowing me to provide effective care in diverse and dynamic settings.
Accountability: Accountability is a cornerstone of nursing, and I hold myself accountable for my actions and responsibilities. In my role as a peer tutor and vice president, I have demonstrated reliability and dependability. I take pride in fulfilling my commitments and ensuring that I am a trusted resource for my peers and the community. This sense of accountability extends to my clinical practice, where I will prioritize patient safety and well-being.
Integrity: Integrity guides my decision-making and interactions with others. I believe that honesty and ethical behavior are essential in building trust and fostering positive relationships. As a nursing student, I adhere to the highest ethical standards, treating patients, peers, and faculty with respect and compassion. My commitment to integrity will be the foundation of my professional practice, ensuring that I provide ethical and compassionate care to all.
Receiving the Arizona College of Nursing Values Scholarship will significantly impact my ability to make a positive difference in my community. This scholarship will alleviate the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus on my studies and community engagement. With this support, I will have the opportunity to participate in more community outreach programs, volunteer initiatives, and professional development activities.
My goal is to become a nurse who not only provides exceptional care but also contributes to the betterment of the community. I plan to use my skills and knowledge to educate and empower individuals, promoting health and wellness. By embodying the values of passion, excellence, adaptability, accountability, and integrity, I will be a positive force in the healthcare field, making a lasting impact on those I serve.
Q&A with Eliza
Q: How did you get started at AZCN?
A: I think what got me there was because I just really appreciated the fact that [the admissions representative] laid everything out, all the details. You know, there wasn’t any loose holes because I feel like a lot of the times there are when it comes to college searching and then when we were on campus for admissions and learning about the college, everybody on campus was super nice and they still have been super nice.
Q: How has your experience been with the AZCN Tampa Campus?
A: We have a lot of support on campus, even though we are a small school. And I think that one thing that gravitated [me] towards AZCN was also the small class size because I learn better in smaller environments. And it really helps that we also have great professors on campus, that are really there for you to support you and want to see you succeed.
Q: What resources have helped you at AZCN?
A: I think a good resource for me is ATI [Assessment Technologies Institute learning system]. It helps you prepare for [the NCLEX exam]. So, in Semester 9, you’re going to do lots of ATI prep and it’s going to determine the predictability of how you’re going to pass [the NCLEX]. For me it has been really beneficial because we get material from it, including textbooks. And these textbooks simplify the information for you in a way that’s so much easier to understand… So, it does a great job of making everything concise.
Q: Do you feel like Arizona College of Nursing is preparing you to become a future nurse?
A: Yes, so actually our current [class], all passed the NCLEX, which is incredible. AZCN is doing something correct to help the students here pass. And I think one thing that’s super important to kind of recognize is the professors, they’re the ones that are the backbone behind the school, and the ones that are giving us this information. And what I love about my professors is they truly show us how to be competent, critical thinkers, but also how to be caring nurses. And, you know, even at clinicals, if we see something being done, our professor explains why this is happening. I think one thing that AZCN is going to prepare me for is being a good nurse in terms of having this knowledge and being able to actually apply the knowledge.
Q: Tell me about a nursing student memory that you’ll never forget.
A: I have so many. Let me try to think of a good one. So, I’ll say this one because I think it was really a great way to build community with my fellow peers. After we took an exam, our very first exam, we actually all went out and we got breakfast together and I just remember laughing with all my classmates and talking about, you know, how relieved we were to finally take our first nursing school exam for CORE. And it was just a great way to really build relationships with those around us but also know that we have people around us that care and that want to see you succeed and are there for you. There’s only 17 of us in my current cohort, but we’re all tight, you know, we’re all close with each other. We have a group chat and it’s like, “Hey, what assignment was due on Tuesday again? Can somebody let me know or, you know, any updates we get, we send screenshots of announcements and send it in the group chat.” So, we keep each other on our toes, keep each other and organize in together.
And then obviously I have my best friend. We’re literally the same person, we think the same. It’s really funny because one day we went out to get coffee together and study for an exam and we were doing practice questions, and we said the same exact metaphor and reference. And I’m like, this is why we’re friends. We just get each other. And I think having her throughout nursing school thus far has been so helpful to have. She’s like an older sister to me and I love her so much.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of .
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.