Nursing Scholarship Awarded

Congratulations to Pia Saboia-Roberts, one of three recipients of the $2,000 scholarship award sponsored by chooseNursing.com and NurseWeek Magazine. Pia will graduate in May 2006.

Pia Saboia-Roberts has first hand knowledge about being a caregiver. Her husband suffered a spinal cord injury five years ago and that event drastically changed their lives, and her role. “Having this personal experience changed my perspective,” Saboia-Roberts says. “I know how much people suffer when they are sick.”

In 1988 when Pia arrived to the United States from her native Brazil she experienced culture shock. Learning a new language and culture were challenges. Pia has mastered English and her ability to speak Spanish and Portuguese will certainly make the delivery of care a better experience for non-English speaking patients within her community.

“Our health care system is so dramatically different,” says Saboia-Roberts, “because people just don’t have any money. The focus is not on health insurance, but in treating the patient.” As payment, doctors and nurses may receive bread or a chicken for their services. Brazil has public health insurance and patients must get up at 5 a.m. to stand in line. In addition to traditional medicine, in the Brazilian culture, spirituality and the church are also significant to healing and health.

“Everyday I do the best I can because I believe we have a chance each day to make a difference in someone’s life…not only as a nurse, but as a human being,” states Saboia-Roberts.

The fact is Saboia-Roberts loves to help people. Each year when she goes home she takes donations of clothing to the poor regions and helps them out in any way she can.

Her long range goals include becoming a Nurse Practitioner, working with the Spanish-speaking community in rural areas, and reaching farm workers.

Pia is a third semester student at Chico State and will graduate in 2006 with a BSN Degree. Her long range goals include becoming a Nurse Practitioner, working with the Spanish-speaking community in rural areas, and reaching farm workers.

Congratulations Pia!

Questions about how you can apply for a scholarship?
Contact us! »

Back to Top