Last spring, 95 UVM nursing students chose to graduate several weeks early to join the labor pool during the COVID-19 pandemic after intense discussion of nursing shortages. How are those courageous Catamounts doing now?

Two of the graduates spoke with ABC 22/FOX 44 in Vermont recently to share their experiences. Xavier Giddings described his experience working as a registered nurse in the surgical intensive care unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center while pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice at UVM on an adult gerontology nurse practitioner track.

“I’m excited to see what the school year brings,” Giddings told reporter Jolie Sherman. “I am eagerly looking to see what the future will hold and I am immensely thankful for the foundation I have formed at UVM.”

Kelsey White, a registered nurse in the general surgery unit at UVM Medical Center, says she feels challenged and gratified at work.

“I think it’s been a very interesting time to start a career in the health care field, but it’s also been very rewarding because we’re really seeing the effects of our work,” said White.

White was already familiar with the hospital, having done her clinical rotation there, and she felt very prepared to jump into the job.

“I loved being able to get to know the different units at the medical center and form professional relationships. I love everyone I work with and the patient population is just wonderful. It’s very rewarding every single day,” said White. 

The segment also touched on what inspired White and Giddings to pursue nursing careers.

See the interview on the ABC 22 website.