Jessica Crank

UConn School of Nursing, Class of 2010

I am a third-year nursing student at UConn. Born in Hartford, I have lived in Enfield, CT all of my life.  Ever since I was a child, I have aspired to work in the health care field.  In the summer of 2004, I volunteered at Johnson Memorial Hospital in the maternity and birthing suites, and currently work as a nurse’s aide.  This past summer, I volunteered in a small Ecuadorian community to help plant crops, build a drying house and visit with local school children.  After I graduate, I plan to continue my education to pursue a master’s degree in pediatric nursing.  In the fall of 2009, I hope to study in South Africa and gather as many new cultural and learning experiences as possible.  The main reason that I am interested in UST is because I want to gain as much knowledge as I possibly can. To be a great nurse, I believe, one must immerse oneself in as many different and challenging situations as possible.  UST offers these situations, and challenges its members to acquaint themselves with unfamiliar languages and people of all cultures.  UST is energizing me to be as culturally competent as I can be and to work as a team with other health care professionals.