Success Story: Julian Garza

Good evening everyone. It is an honor to be here with you today in celebration of our BNA program completion. A milestone in the road to our professional careers in the healthcare field. My fellow classmates and I worked and studied extensively in order to be here as a graduate today. The past couple of months proved to be mentally and physically demanding. Quizzes every week on top of a thick workbook and clinical at 6:30 a.m. proved to be quite a challenge, but with the help of the instructors and Instituto faculty, staying focused was possible.

By joining Instituto’s BNA program, I was able to get firsthand experience in my career pathway of choice. It also allowed me to begin my mission of breaking the stereotype that the nursing field is predominantly female. By working in the nursing field, I can inspire other men that are hesitant to join due to the common stereotypes portrayed towards males in the field. On the first day of orientation I was astonished to see that I was one of two men in the entire program. It made me quite anxious, but I was determined to put forth my best effort to complete the program.

The BNA training program has allowed me to develop crucial skills needed in the field such as teamwork, and patience. These skills came into play once clinicals began. Both our knowledge and skills were being put to the test. The first two clinicals were nerve wracking for me because of how intensive it can be to provide care for residents. Although it may be difficult at times, it is very rewarding to hear residents say that they are pleased with the care we have provided. Being compassionate is the most important tip I can give to someone looking to work in the healthcare industry. Without compassion, you cannot genuinely improve someone’s quality of life. As the weeks progressed, my nervousness at clinicals began to vanish. I was able to apply my knowledge from the classroom into the workplace setting. My communication skills also began to improve when working in groups. All of this contributed to my success within the program.

With that being said, I would not be here today without the knowledge and skills that my two instructors, Ms. Packer, and Ms. Beeman have provided me with. They guided me whenever I was puzzled or stressed. They even brought us donuts here and there. I would also like to say thank you to Diana for admitting me into the program and to the job readiness team for helping me build my professional resume. Lastly, I want to thank my family for supporting me through the program. They have been the ones that motivate me to try my best, and keep a positive attitude. With the guidance provided by everyone at Instituto, I now feel that I am ready to work as a CNA and go even further within the healthcare field.

Thank you.