Outstanding Summer

By Danielle Fitch ‘15

The Smith Career Center awarded Brendon David ’15 the Outstanding Co-Op/Intern of the Year Award for the College of Education and Health Sciences. David, a nursing major from Naperville, Illinois, spent the summer of 2014 learning his craft in the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

David gained skills in nursing practice, time management, and acquired real world experience by performing such tasks as performing neurological assessments, checking blood sugars and providing patient care. He discovered how nurses handle day-to-day activities when caring for patients in the NCCU.

Bradley allows nursing students to gain nursing experience through their clinical courses in many diverse areas. During these courses, they are supervised by a clinical instructor as they practice skills and learn the role of the professional nurse. During the summer between their junior and senior year, students may apply for a variety of internships that offer more independence before they step into the professional world.

“Going above and beyond comes with the territory in becoming a nurse,” David said. “I think that Bradley has really helped me to develop the communication and nursing skills needed to do my job not only correctly, but also on a deeper personal level.”

David’s summer included opportunities to work with an inter-professional team to provide care to critically ill patients with neurological problems, including a chance to assist a surgeon with a complex life-support procedure on a patient.

Though he enjoyed the privilege of providing high acuity care and assisting with complex procedures and treatments, David said that the most rewarding part of his nursing internship was the gratitude he felt from the patients.

“I formed bonds with these people and really got to know them, not only on a healthcare level, but on an emotional one as well,” he said. “The most rewarding thing is seeing your patient get better and feel thankful for all that you’ve given them.”