Nursing Scholarship Awarded

Congratulations to Victor Pinedo, a recipient of the spring 2007 chooseNursing.com scholarship award.

As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Victor Pinedo is no stranger to trauma. And as a volunteer of Los Angeles County General Hospital as a physician assistant’s helper, he has been exposed to more than most. What impresses him the most is the level of care given to low income patients.

“Some patients are transient and the nurses treat them with so much dignity,” he says, “that it was an eye opening experience for me.” This has had such an impact on him that it helped him decide to choose nursing as a second career.

Being the only male in his class was initially intimidating. He also found it difficult to communicate with some of his instructors. However, it didn’t take long to work through that. One of his instructors, Dr. Margaret Wilson, became his mentor. She pointed out how men are more welcomed into the female dominated profession and how men have a tendency to be a lot more forthright and a lot more vocal. He concludes that she proved to be a real asset to him and the program. “She’s retiring now and I will miss her,” he says.

According to Pinedo, balancing academics, finances, and family life can be a bit challenging and overwhelming at times, but he knows the end result will be worth it.

For men interested in becoming nurses he says perseverance is the key. “They should not feel afraid, intimidated, or inadequate,” he states. “Some of my family members snickered at my choice of profession until they actually saw what I do.”

Pinedo explains that he was a bit reluctant at first to care for one particular patient. However, he drew from his experience with the nurses at Los Angeles County General Hospital. It turned out the gentleman, who was a transient had had a stroke a few years earlier and couldn’t clean himself. Pinedo said the gentleman was very appreciative and grateful that someone cared enough to take the time to give him a shower and clean him up. “If I didn’t help him, who was,” Pinedo said thoughtfully.

When Pinedo finishes with school he wants to continue working in the ER or in ICU. Eventually he will get his Masters Degree. He is considering teaching or becoming a nurse practitioner. Pinedo attends Cypress College in southern California and will graduate in December 2007.

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