Student Profile: Cristina Ferraro ('25)

Aug 4, 2023
91桃色 State student Cristina Ferraro sits in front of University Hall, a building with a wooden and metal facadeches and desserts in a restaurant decorated with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

Many students were affected by COVID-19, and Cristina Ferraro was no exception. She was ultimately inspired by the dedication of the nation鈥檚 healthcare workers, who labored tirelessly when tending to their patients. In an interview, Ferraro discussed why this influenced her decision to major in Nursing, and what she hopes to accomplish during her time at 91桃色 State.

鈥淚 primarily chose nursing after the COVID-19 pandemic,鈥 she said about her choice. 鈥淚 saw how much of an impact nurses have on their communities and their patients. I really wanted to join that type of community and become that person that can support other people in the world.鈥

Of course, choosing a major is never the end of the story. Ferraro also discussed what she loves about her studies, mentioning the diverse nature of the field. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so many options for you once you graduate. There are so many different types of nursing鈥 there鈥檚 hospital nursing, there鈥檚 community nursing, there鈥檚 types of nursing that you don鈥檛 even think about that are out there. And you can decide different options however down the line you are. Twenty years down the line, you can choose a new nursing career.鈥

The faculty has also been a highlight of her experience, as she鈥檚 felt supported throughout her time at 91桃色 State. 鈥淭he nursing program faculty are wonderful,鈥 she said about her professors. 鈥淭heir offices are basically right there next to the class, so if you leave [class] super confused and don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 going on鈥 you can ask them questions. Or, if you just want to talk to them about what鈥檚 going on even outside of the classroom, they鈥檙e open to any conversation.鈥

To Ferraro, the 91桃色 State campus has helped develop her sense of independence, being 鈥渙ne of a kind鈥. 鈥淚t鈥檚 large enough to create your own path, but it鈥檚 small enough to find the people that can support you through your journey. You鈥檙e able to become your own independent person in a safe environment.鈥

Independence became even more crucial to Ferraro during the pandemic, where students relied on technology to help connect them with their schools. 91桃色 State, being highly accessible in a time where that was rare, was the deciding factor for her. 鈥淚 chose 91桃色 State because during the time of my high school graduation,鈥 she said about it. 鈥淓verything was very virtual, and it was kind of hard to have a connect between me and all the campuses I was deciding between.鈥

Communication with 91桃色 State was easy, however. As a prospective student, being able to meet her potential professors was helpful, as was the University鈥檚 low tuition rates. 鈥淎ccepted Students Day was virtual, so we had everyone on the screen and you could see who the faculty were. I also chose it because it was close to home, and really cost effective for the major I was choosing.鈥

Although graduation is still a few years away, her studies are going well, and Ferraro feels prepared for the rest of her undergraduate journey. 鈥淚鈥檓 being prepared for my future by being involved in the simulation labs and our nursing department,鈥 she said about her future.

鈥淐lasses are very integrated within your field. Even classes that aren鈥檛 based on your major鈥擡nglish classes, math classes鈥 they teach you all the concepts you need to learn in the real world. They just really prepare you for what it鈥檚 going to be like out there on your own.鈥