Jessica Arter

UConn School of Nursing

I grew up and live in Hartford, CT, and am a graduate of the Sports and Medical Science Academy, a magnet school. I am the first member of my immediate family to pursue a college degree in nursing. Even though I have not had much clinical experience or firsthand knowledge of the field of nursing, I am leaning toward becoming a pediatric nurse. I would like to work with children, especially from communities like Hartford, who have terminal illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and sickle cell anemia. As a high school student, I was fortunate to participate in the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program and the Sports and Medical Science Academy, giving me exposure to a number of health care settings and agencies. Consequently, I volunteered at Hartford Hospital, and visited the UConn Migrant Farm Worker Clinic and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.