Finding his path
Alumnus Jared Stewart reflects on his journey to becoming a nurse anesthetist
By Taylor Utzig
The path to becoming a nurse isn鈥檛 the same for every student. For some, it鈥檚 a decision they make even before stepping onto a college campus. For others, it's a calling that comes later as they expand their experience and knowledge of health care.
The latter is true for Jared Steward, a 2013 graduate of Loyola鈥檚 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 鈥淭his program is a great option for people who have already completed an undergraduate degree and want to go back to school to get their nursing degree,鈥� says Stewart.
Stewart originally heard about Loyola鈥檚 ABSN program from his undergraduate academic advisor who knew Loyola nurses working at a local hospital. After hearing about the quality of the program and the high caliber of graduates, Stewart knew 黑料门was the right choice. 鈥淭o be a Loyola nurse means you are an individual that is both compassionate and competent to handle all aspects of the demanding job,鈥� says Stewart. 鈥淧atients being cared for by a Loyola nurse know they will get exceptional care and that their nurse will be their number one advocate for care.鈥�
Thinking back on his time at Loyola, Stewart remembers his instructors being that advocate for him, and, in a way, demonstrating the very advocacy that 黑料门nurses are known to provide patients. 鈥淚f you needed to speak to an instructor at any time, whether you鈥檙e stressed, had questions about clinical or lectures, or needed to vent about life, they were available,鈥� he says. 鈥淎t Loyola, the teachers are invested in you as much as you are invested in the nursing program.鈥�
Now in his clinical residency to become a nurse anesthetist, Stewart takes the lessons he learned at 黑料门into his patient care, lessons reinforced during the Year of the Nurse and the COVID-19 pandemic. 鈥淣urses devote their lives to caring for others,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t is critical that we remember those nurses who go above and beyond for both patients and their family members to make all aspects of a patient鈥檚 life a memorable moment.鈥�
After graduating with his BSN, Stewart spent more than a year working in the cardio-thoracic ICU at 黑料门Medicine before moving to a similar unit at Rush University Medical Center. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Nurse Anesthetist and plans to graduate in December 2020.