A decade ago, attending college—much less a top-tier private institution thousands of miles from her native San Diego—seemed like a far-off dream for Anaya Iglesias, B.S.N. ’25, a nursing major and public health minor. When she was just 13, her family lost their house and lived with her grandmother for a few years. “Along the way, I would focus on my studies because I knew it was something I had control over,” she said. At the height of the pandemic, more financial hardship forced the family to move twice in a short period. “The constant relocating affected my outlook on the possibility of college after high school,” recalled Iglesias, “but I was able to bounce back, thanks to my teachers and family encouraging me to apply to colleges and scholarships.” In addition to receiving a 1,000 Dreams Fund Scholarship, Iglesias was admitted to the University of Miami Foote Fellow Honors Program on a President’s Scholarship. An active student, she joined the Student Government Outreach Committee and ECO Agency, served as secretary of the Women's Ultimate Frisbee club, and worked as a Resident Assistant (RA) in both Mahoney Residential College and University Village. In 2023, Iglesias was selected for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Lewis Scholars program and Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar (THESIS). At the end of the eight-week program, she presented her literature review, “The Implications of Environmental Degradation on Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes in Alaska Natives,” at the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta. She also served her school as a Peer Ambassador and participated in its Multicultural Student Nursing Association. Today this Cane Nurse-to-be reflects on the eventful road she’s traveled to Commencement and what lies ahead.
Why did you decide to become a nurse?
I’ve always been drawn to both science and human connection, and nursing allows me to be at the intersection of both. My mom is also a nurse, and growing up, I saw firsthand how deeply she cared for her patients and how meaningful the profession could be.
How has school changed your understanding of nursing?
I didn’t realize how nurse-driven care is in the ICU until I experienced it firsthand. Nurses are constantly assessing, making real-time decisions, and collaborating with the care team to guide interventions. It made me see how critical our role is in shaping patient outcomes. I’m excited to be part of that level of care and advocate for my patients in those intense, life-changing moments.
How has school most impacted you?
My preceptorship in the Surgical ICU at Jackson Memorial Hospital was the most impactful experience of nursing school. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me gain confidence managing critically ill patients. I learned to titrate medications, anticipate clinical changes, and communicate effectively during high-acuity situations. The nurses and preceptors there were incredibly supportive and challenged me to think like a future ICU nurse. That experience truly solidified my passion for critical care and showed me how far I’ve come since my first clinical.
What’s a highlight of your time here?
A standout experience for me was my study abroad trip to Spain this January as part of our Global Health and Transcultural Nursing course taught by Dr. Ortega. I participated in a comparative health care program where we explored the country’s public health system and hospital structure. The trip deepened my understanding of global health and cultural humility in nursing, and it’s something I continue to carry into my patient care. I am incredibly grateful for this experience. It has inspired me to explore how I can contribute to nursing on a global scale.
What’s next?
I plan to begin my nursing career in critical care through a nurse residency program. I’m open to opportunities in different states and hospital systems as I explore where I can grow the most as a new nurse. After becoming a critical care nurse, I hope to earn my CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) certification to continue building my clinical knowledge and expertise.
