Finlandia Success: Ryan Wuebben ’15

Finlandia University Alum Ryan Wuebben

• Major: Nursing
• Graduation Year: 2015
• Hometown: Hancock, Michigan
• Current Location: Rochester, Minnesota
• Job: CV Surgery Transplant Nurse at Mayo Clinic

Let’s start with your job at Mayo Clinic. What do you do for Mayo, and what is it like working at such a highly regarded organization?

Ryan Wuebben: I always dreamed of working here, but I never thought it would work out. I found out about the job because a friend of mine was here for surgery. One of his doctors mentioned that they were hiring a lot of nurses. I applied, got a call and now I’m working here. I work in the cardiovascular transplant department.

I love this place because of the teamwork, an aspect I believe strongly in when it comes to patient care. At Mayo Clinic there isn’t one person higher than any other person. From housekeeping, to doctors, to food service staff, to administration, I talk to all of these people at the same level. People don’t hold themselves at a higher or lower level. It creates a great atmosphere to work in.

What was most memorable for you as a nursing student at Finlandia?

RW: It was really challenging. There were definitely times I thought about dropping out. However, it was fun and interesting, and I love the medical field. I loved building relationships with the instructors and staff at Finlandia. In the nursing program specifically you spend so much time together that you build up meaningful relationships. You get to know all of the instructors and classmates on a one-to-one level. I miss talking to those people and seeing them every day.

As a Hancock Central High School graduate, how meaningful was it for you to be part of the Hancock Award program?

RW: I always knew I wanted to go to school for nursing, and when I realized I had the opportunity to go to a four-year program virtually for free it was something that was too good to pass up.

I’m thankful to have had that opportunity, and would urge anyone with this opportunity to take advantage of it.

Many nursing students choose to get a two-year degree instead of four, what do you think are the advantages of earning a four-year degree? Do you think you’d be where you are now if you would have chosen to get a two-year nursing degree?

RW: A majority of nurses being hired, especially at larger institutions, have their four-year degree. Hospitals are still hiring two-year degree nurses, but most will require you to further your education to get your four-year. A lot of hospitals will pay or assist in some form to help pay for it, which is always nice. The advantages can go either way. If you plan on furthering your education or are interested in management, then yeah a four-year nursing degree is the way to go. If not, you can always find a job and then do the rest online which is common now. I think the extra education pays off. You can still be a great nurse with a two-year degree also.  To be honest, I would probably still be here where I am as long as you have the energy to succeed in what ever you do. If you show you’re willingness to do your part, you will succeed in no matter what you do.

What advice would you give to current nursing students at FinnU?

RW: Never give up, and try to take it one day at a time. There were times where I thought about quitting because it takes up a lot of time, and you don’t have a lot of free time. When you’re going through it, it seems like you’re never going to finish. But looking back I’ve already been working for a year, it goes by quick. Before you know it, you’ll be working as a nurse as well. Another thing that I’d suggest is working hard to build rapport with patients and professors, in nursing it’s important to gain trust with the people around you.

This article on 2015 alum Ryan Wuebben is part of a regularly produced series titled Finlandia Success. E-mail alumni@finlandia.edu to suggest alumni who might make a great feature in the next Finlandia Success story.