Midland University senior nursing major Zoey Carrico was named the Nebraska State Student Nurses Association Nursing Student of the Year during the NSSNA Convention on February 10th at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte.
“Zoey is a phenomenal student, and the entire nursing team is so proud to see her recognized for her work in our program,” said Dr. Tesa Keeling, Dean of the School of Nursing.
To be eligible for the award, students had to be nominated by their school and the Student Nurse Association, have two faculty letters of recommendation, and submit an essay to the state convention board.
The final part of the process included a multi-disciplinary interview with a five-person panel of professionals (lawyer, healthcare business administrator, nurse, physician, and chief nursing officer).
“It was a shock to win,” Carrico said. “It was a stressful morning of interviews, but it was a unique experience that I really enjoyed. I thought they were just going to ask me about nursing, but they asked a variety of questions that focused on how well-rounded you are as a student. I feel like Midland prepares you to be a well-rounded individual, and you get opportunities in many different areas, so it was cool to see that all come to light.
“I thought I had a good interview but wasn’t sure if it was good enough to win. I really connected with the judges, and it felt more like a conversation.”
Brittany Scully, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, said Carrico is a great representative of the nursing program and what it stands for. “Zoey is an amazing student and truly cares about the future of nursing,” she said. “I am so proud of her accomplishments and can’t wait to see what she does to shape the future of nursing.”
The convention also featured speakers, breakout sessions, and the opportunity to meet with nursing students from across the state. “It was cool to visit with other students and realize that we are all going through the same things,” Carrico said. “I would recommend any nursing student to attend the convention.”
Carrico has already accepted a position with Children’s Hospital, where she will be working in the Children’s Pediatric ICU. She’s honored to be recognized by the state for her accomplishments and grateful to everyone who helped her achieve this honor.
“There’s no way I’m in this position without God and all the opportunities he’s provided,” she said. “Every single professor of the nursing program has played a huge part, and it was great to see them celebrate the award, not just for me, but for Midland. They are incredible people.”
