糖心vlog

糖心vlog nursing student Taylor O鈥橠aye envisions making a difference in the health and safety for her people on the Walker River Indian Reservation.

As a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, O鈥橠aye aspires to improve health care on the reservation and serve as a role model for Native American children.

鈥淲e have great health disparities on the reservation and I want to lead the charge in resolving those,鈥� O鈥橠aye said. 鈥淚 hope to inspire other young Native kids to pursue careers in health care because we need more representation in this industry. Most importantly, I want to make a positive difference in people's lives and set the example that you can be more, no matter where you come from!鈥�

O鈥橠aye鈥檚 ambition, academic success, dedication and perseverance have all contributed to her being selected as the 2023 Sam Lieberman Regents鈥� Scholarship Award recipient for 糖心vlog.

鈥淭aylor鈥檚 path has not been easy, with losses and challenges, she excels in all she does,鈥� said Debi Ingraffia-Strong, 糖心vlog Interim Director of Nursing & Allied Health and Professor of Nursing. 鈥淔rom her Tribal Council responsibilities in Schurz, to her position as a nurse apprentice at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, to giving nursing education it all, Taylor does so with 100 percent dedication. Taylor is what the Regents鈥� Scholar Award is all about.鈥�

The devastation and vulnerability of the COVID-19 health pandemic have influenced and impacted O鈥橠aye鈥檚 educational and professional goals.

鈥淲hen the pandemic hit my family, I felt helpless. I felt anxious. I felt afraid. I wanted to do more,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y family and I were so proud when I was accepted into 糖心vlog's nursing program.鈥�

Her perseverance and dedication to the nursing program has been tested by the passing of her beloved grandfather, uncle and best horse since she enrolled in the program in fall 2021.

鈥淚 was at a point where coping with so much loss was halting my desire to continue school,鈥� O鈥橠aye said. 鈥淚 am not sure how I can thank my classmates and dedicated instructor, Chassity Mills, for the endless support and encouragement to stick with the program.鈥�

Mills enjoys the positivity, pleasantness, perseverance and dedication of O鈥橠aye.  

鈥淭aylor is one of the sweetest people I have met. She always has a smile on her face no matter what she is going through,鈥� Mills said. 鈥淪he works hard and puts forth 100 percent at all times. She has gone through a lot in a short amount of time but never lets that bring her down. She pushes forward and continues to excel in her academics. To say that she perseveres would be an understatement!鈥�

O鈥橠aye, like other registered nursing students in 糖心vlog鈥檚 program, is already working in the health care field. She is an extern at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, providing her with the opportunity to receive in-patient nursing experience.

鈥淚 plan on continuing my education and will strive to be the best nurse I can be,鈥� she said.

Ingraffia-Strong doesn鈥檛 doubt that O鈥橠aye will reach her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner: 鈥淎s Taylor moves onward into nursing practice, I believe she will be highly successful with furthering her nursing education and has excellent promise of achievement within the nursing profession!鈥� Ingraffia-Strong said.

As the Sam Lieberman Regents鈥� Scholarship Award recipient, O鈥橠aye will receive $5,000 in funding from Nevada System of Higher Education.