Nursing Scholarship Awarded

As a high school student, Tommy Wu volunteered at Presbyterian Inter Community Hospital in Whittier, California as an ambassador. In this role Tommy helped visitors, served patient meals, and interacted with other members of the health care team. These activities provided a sense of pride and the opportunity for personal growth. It also provided a forum to better understand people and to enhance his interpersonal skills. It was this experience that inspired his decision to choose nursing as a career.

In 2001, as an ROTC scholarship recipient, Tommy was admitted to Georgetown University School of Nursing, located in Washington, DC. The challenge to successfully balance academic rigors and the expectations of ROTC training were at times overwhelming, such that, Tommy decided to temporarily postpone his nursing education. However, his goal to become a nurse never faded. In 2003, Tommy was accepted to Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California, and this fall will be a sophomore.

Tommy’s faculty advisor and mentor, Nadine Davis, is also the faculty liaison to the student nurses association on campus has been a big help to Tommy. “She believes in me and helps me see the possibilities of nursing,” he says. “I want to help and spread the word about nursing and she suggested that I speak to high school students,” he says proudly. Once again Tommy heard and answered the outreach call, and became an ambassador, this time as a student nurse.

Out of a class of 60 students, Tommy says 15 are men. He doesn’t view these numbers as a challenge but rather as an opportunity to better himself. “We should embrace all of our differences. I strongly encourage other men to become nurses because there are so many opportunities in the nursing profession. One can become an educator, specialist, speaker, or chief executive officer,” he says.

Tommy wants to become a med/surg nurse and later pursue a masters degree in nursing. Tommy’s passion to make a difference and give back to the community is significant to the profile of a professional nurse and that of a student nurse. “I want to give back and make a difference in people’s lives and share my passion for nursing,” he says.

Tommy’s outreach activities include having worked with the Help the Homeless Walkathon. He raised funds for the homeless and participated in a 5K walk. He’s also volunteered in soup kitchens and worked at shelters for the homeless providing food and toiletries.

To future nurses and nursing students, Tommy says, “follow your dreams.” He did! He’s been dreaming of becoming a nurse since he was 16 years old.

Congratulations, Tommy!

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