Student representative Melissa Helppi talks about her time in the nursing program
April 27, 2018
As the school year winds down, Melissa Helppi dropped by to share some of her experiences during her time at Finlandia. Helppi is graduating Summa Cum Laude from the nursing program, is giving a speech during commencement as this year’s student representative and will also be speaking at the nursing pinning ceremony. Helppi mentioned that both her speeches are finished, she just needs to make a few last minute tweaks.
Called to a Career in Nursing
When asked about the nursing program, Helppi stated that the program is tough because a lot of material is covered. That being said, she feels that the difficulty of the program is what helps Finlandia nurses have a leg up over the nurses coming out of other universities. For example, Finlandia nursing students go the night before their clinicals to receive their clinical paperwork. By reviewing the paperwork, they can successfully plan and implement the proper treatments and doses for their patients.
Helppi also a completed an internship with Aspirius Keweenaw in Laurium while in school. The experience was hands-on, and was beneficial for Helppi as she starts to integrate herself into the field. Helppi had such a positive experience, that Aspirius decided to keep her part time, so she has been on call for most of the year. “I still get excited when I get called to come in,” said Helppi, “that lets me know I picked the right career when I get excited to come into work.” Helppi realized that she wanted to go into an occupation that allowed her to care for people at a young age. She helped take care of an older family member for several years, while also being the oldest of eight children.
Involved in Campus Life
Despite being a non-traditional student, Helppi has been active in campus life by participating in a variety of clubs and organizations. Part of the first group of initiates for Alpha Lambda Delta, an honor society for first year students, Helppi was also the president of the Finlandia University Student’s Nursing Association. Helppi is also a health sciences tutor, and is a part of the group that will be going to Tanzania in a few weeks.
Helppi will be speaking this weekend at the graduation ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, April 29. For information on graduation, as well as the nursing program and the Tanzania trip, check out the links below.
Links
Nursing Links
- Nursing page
- Finlandia University Student Nurses Association Facebook
- The Nursing Job Search with Alison Patchel
- The Life of a Nursing Student Explored in Finlandia Fridays
Tanzania Trip
Graduation Information
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