Dorene Sandra Dunkley-Boose

I chose FIU because it was closer to where I lived and the clinical experience was the best at the time. What inspired me to go into nursing was that I wanted to give service to people when they're at their most vulnerable. While I was at FIU, I grew as a person, and I became aware of the communities around me. I learned about the different dynamics and needs of the communities around me. One of the most useful lessons I learned was to listen and pay attention before administering any kind of care. I loved the people I went to school with and how they approached life. They were enthusiastic about going on clinical journeys and having clinical experiences. A handful of us remain friends to this day. We went through the journey together, and we learned together. We still teach each other and stay in each other's lives. I'm most grateful to FIU for the patience that it taught me in life and the empathy I've gained. FIU Nursing made me the nurse I am today.