Avila University’s Nurse Carol Retirement.

By: Hernán Pulido

Avila University, a Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a values-based community of learning. The University has professional, undergraduate, and graduates education to prepare students for responsible lifelong contributions to the global community.

For 36 years, Nurse Carol has served the community as the manager of health services, helping thousands of students through the years. In an interview with Nurse Carol this morning she explained that before her there were only 3 nurses and her office was not at the same place it is currently.

Nurse Carol said that when she first started working at Avila her office was placed in the tunnels and she didn’t have any assistant so when she had to leave she had to write a note and paste it on the door so students knew when she was going to be back. Eight years ago, she got transferred to the office she currently is in and she has an assistant as well that helps students sign up for appointments and know when she is available.

                             

Avila University Hodes Center where Nurse Carol has her office. The woman in Gray sweater is Nurse Carol spotted attending one Avila student in her office.

A photo was taken at Avila university Hodes Center where nurse Carol checks students and gives any diagnosis.

In the interview, Nurse Carol explained her experience through all these years working at Avila and what she learned and what were her accomplishments.  She said that one of the hardest challenges was the communication between foreign students who had English as their second language. Also, she said that at first not having assistance and being by herself was very hard but when she learned how to communicate better with each students` culture, got assistance and implemented the international student insurance at Avila which has helped thousands of international students to not have an economic burden when facing the US health system.

Nurse Carol has announced her retirement at the end of the current academic year. Although she will be retiring as a nurse at Avila, she will still be active as a teacher in Health and Safety issues at Avila. Nurse Carol also has a scholarship that grants money to First Generation students, majoring in something health related.  Nurse Carol finished her interview saying “I’ve really believed in all of you and in you being successful and if I played a role in your success then I’ve done my job”.

                                                                     The photo was taken today at Nurse Carol office at hodes center