Jessica Ileana Blanco

I chose Florida International University because it was a great school that was close, I was able to get a lot of financial aid, and I had other friends who went to FIU. Those friends did everything through FIU, including activities for the community, so I saw a lot of opportunities if I were to choose FIU. Both of my aunts were nurses, and I had them to look up to. Also, my grandma was in and out of the hospital a lot, and seeing how the nurses would treat us pushed me to pursue that career. I debated going away for nursing, but I established such a love for FIU. It was such a good school. Nursing students who had gone through school didn't have half of the opportunities we had, especially when it came to the Simulation Laboratory. I grew as a person at FIU Nursing. It helped me use my critical thinking, and it changed the way I looked at my life and nursing career. I met a group of friends I wouldn't have met if it wasn't for nursing school, and we're still friends today. We've been to each other's weddings, and they're invited to my wedding. The people who will be around for a very long time are the greatest takeaways from my time at FIU Nursing.