In just 12 months, Manuela Guyot, B.S.N. ’25, has made a big impression on her faculty, preceptors, and peers alike. As a culmination of her outstanding contributions to the School of Nursing and Health Studies, Guyot, a student in the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program, won the 2025 Rising Star: Nursing Student Excellence Award from the Florida Nurses Association South Region. “I was honored to be selected for the FNA Rising Star Student Award, which was a great recognition of my hard work and commitment,” said Guyot, who attended the ceremony in April with several school faculty.
Dr. Nichole Crenshaw, associate dean for undergraduate nursing programs, is Guyot’s mentor. In addition to noting her student’s impressive GPA (in the top 15 percent of her class), Crenshaw praised Guyot as “an active learner who demonstrates critical thinking skills in the classroom as well as the clinical placement setting” and “an exemplary scholar who distinguishes herself and contributes substantively, whether in the classroom or in the field.”
On track to earn her nursing degree from the University of Miami on May 9, Guyot is on the Provost’s Honor Roll, is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and is an active participant in the school’s National Student Nurses’ Association chapter. “Ms. Guyot has made an indelible mark at the school, garnering the admiration and respect of her instructors, preceptors, and classmates for the excellence of her academic and clinical work, her research background and skills, and the passion she demonstrates for nursing through her service to our local as well as global communities,” said Dean Hudson P. Santos Jr.
Guyot’s commitment to helping others began early. Through high school, starting at age 14, she volunteered on medical missions in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Honduras, including serving as a Spanish-English translator for participants. As a UCLA student majoring in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, she shadowed health professionals and was an undergraduate research assistant on CAR-NK tumor cell research studies. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree, Guyot joined the University of Miami and worked as a research associate in the Ivan Lab at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, studying glioblastomas.
Since starting the accelerated B.S.N. program last June, Guyot has successfully completed hundreds of hours of rigorous clinical rotations across six major clinical settings in step-down, med-surg/telemetry, labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care unit, operating room, oncology, emergency department, orthopedics, behavioral health, adolescent psychiatry, and public health, among other departments. Now ready to graduate, she reflects on how her year-long immersion in the world of nursing has changed her life and shares her plans for the future.
What made you want to pursue a career in nursing?
Manuela Guyot: I’ve always been fascinated by science, so nursing felt like a natural path. But beyond the science, I truly value human connection, and nursing allows me to blend both—using my knowledge to help people and interact with them on a personal level.
What's one thing many people may not know about you?
I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but grew up in Miami, so I’ve had the best of both worlds. My Argentine roots are a big part of who I am, and I’m grateful to live in Miami, where I can embrace both cultures.
How has your nursing school experience impacted you?
My time at the University of Miami has had such a positive impact on me, especially the faculty. The dedication they have for their students and their passion for teaching has been inspiring. One of the most impactful experiences for me was my final rotation in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at Jackson Memorial Hospital. I was really pushed to think critically and felt like all the hard work I put in paid off. It made me realize I’m ready to take on the challenges of being a nurse.
What is a highlight of your UM experience?
The relationships I’ve built with my classmates have definitely been a highlight. The accelerated nursing program is tough, but we’ve become a close-knit group, supporting each other through the tough times and having fun along the way. It’s been a great experience because we’ve been able to lean on each other while going through the challenges of the program.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m currently exploring job opportunities and nurse residency programs, with a particular interest in pediatric nursing, especially in the pediatric ICU. After graduation, I plan to focus on studying for the NCLEX and then hopefully take a little trip before starting my first job. I’m feeling really excited about my next steps and, hopefully, getting a job as a pediatric nurse.
Anything else?
I’m just grateful for the experiences that have gotten me to this point.
Undergraduate Spring Commencement for the School of Nursing and Health Studies takes place 5:30 p.m. May 9. The school’s awards and pinning ceremony takes place that morning.
