Nursing Their Calling

Florence Nightingale said, “Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work.” Nursing demands dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others. UW-Green Bay students Kerk Pelaez and Samira Bare, two of 26 recipients of the Aurora BayCare Future Nurses and Inspire Nursing scholarships at UW-Green Bay, share this passion despite growing up continents apart.

Their encounters with healthcare professionals and the compassionate care they witnessed played a pivotal role in shaping their decision to pursue nursing. These experiences not only inspired them but also solidified their resolve to make a meaningful impact in the field.

“I saw nurses’ perseverance and how hard they worked, especially during COVID when they were helping people during the times they were needed most,” recalls Pelaez, who grew up in the Philippines and was inspired by his family’s dedication to healthcare.

“Seeing the care and kindness that the nurse gave, that’s what made me realize I should transition to this career because I could see myself being one,” shares Bare, who moved from Kenya at an early age and was influenced by her grandfather, a doctor in Nairobi.

What makes their stories compelling is not just their dedication to the profession, but the unique paths they have traveled from their home countries to UW-Green Bay, driven by a shared passion to make a difference in healthcare.

The Aurora BayCare Nursing scholarships are crucial in addressing the nursing shortage in Northeast Wisconsin by providing financial support to aspiring and current nursing students at UW-Green Bay. Insufficient numbers of new nurse graduates, higher than expected retirements and the growth of health care needs of the aging population add to the critical need for nurses. At the current replacement rate, it is estimated the shortage of registered nurses in Wisconsin will increase to nearly 20,000 (35 percent) by 2035.

Since 2022, Aurora BayCare Medical Center has committed significant scholarship funds to inspire and support these students. This investment not only alleviates financial burdens but also ensures that students can focus on their education and clinical experiences, preparing them to meet the growing demands of the healthcare system.

Kerk’s Story: From the Philippines to Wisconsin

Originally from Pagadian City in the Philippines, Pelaez moved to Wisconsin through the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program, a prominent scholarship that selects only 20 students out of 10,000 applicants from across the Philippines. This opportunity brought him to a host family in Richland Center, Wisconsin, where he completed his senior year of high school.

His mother was a midwife, and an aunt and uncle are nurses. Witnessing their hard work and dedication, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired Pelaez to follow in their footsteps.

Pelaez’s passion for nursing was also fueled by his experience caring for his grandfather back home. Through this experience he witnessed firsthand the love and dedication that caregivers provided to ensure his grandfather’s happiness and quality of life. This hands-on involvement with palliative care deeply moved him and solidified his desire to enter the healthcare field.

Initially, Pelaez enrolled in human biology, a popular pre-med program at UW-Green Bay. However, after researching and reflecting on his goals, he decided that nursing was a better fit for him. “When I was looking at colleges, I found Green Bay. And then when I applied, I was like, yeah, the program is very nice. I got in with a grant that came with getting accepted to the university and thought it was a great opportunity as a student.”

Samira’s Story: Her Mother’s Diagnosis Sparks Career Focus

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Bare moved to the United States when she was six and a half years old. Her family settled in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she has lived for the past 13 years. Her interest in healthcare was sparked early on, influenced by her grandfather who was a doctor in Nairobi.

A pivotal moment in Bare’s decision to pursue nursing came when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. “Seeing the care and kindness that the nurse gave, that clicked and I thought I should actually transition to this career because I could see myself being one,” she shared.

Bare also loved joining the Phoenix flock. “I loved the safety of the campus. I also loved how they have all these majors and minors and the affordability of Green Bay.”

Currently in her final semester at UW-Green Bay, Bare is double majoring in nursing and psychology. She aspires to stay in the region, working in a field that challenges her and expands her knowledge and skills. “I want to be in a high-acuity environment where critical thinking, rapid decision-making and strong clinical judgment are essential,” she explained. She is drawn to areas of healthcare that involve complex cases, high critical values, and dynamic patient care, where she can continuously learn and refine her expertise. Her passion for this field is driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact while growing as a skilled and adaptable healthcare professional.

Throughout her time at UW-Green Bay, Bare has been eligible and has received the Aurora BayCare Nursing scholarship, which has been instrumental in supporting her education. The scholarship has helped cover tuition and other expenses, allowing her to focus on her studies and clinical experiences.

As a Muslim student who wears the hijab, Bare has also faced unique challenges in her nursing career. “It is a bit challenging when you wear a scarf and patients don’t really expect you to wear one. So when you enter a patient room, the first thing that they see and question is, ‘oh, what is that on your head?’” she shared.

Samira finds it rewarding to educate patients about her cultural and religious background. “A lot of patients are understanding when you sit down and educate them on that. I find it very interesting, and when there is time, I do delve deeper into other cultural preferences or religious backgrounds that I must follow,” she added.

Overcoming the rigorous demands of pursuing a nursing degree is a challenge for every student, but for those like Pelaez and Bare, it also means adapting to different cultures and sometimes being far from family members. Scholarships, like the Aurora BayCare Future Nurses and Inspire Nursing scholarships, provide financial support, allowing these dedicated students to concentrate on their calling whether their support systems are mere miles or half a world away. It’s a shared commitment to caring that binds them to the community and drives them to succeed.