Compassionate nurses made an impression on Hayley Whittier, RN, when she was young. So much so, in fact, that she decided to pursue a career in healthcare. Your support helped her achieve her dream of caring for patients and families.
As a child, Hayley Whittier, RN, experienced the many ways in which compassionate and knowledgeable nurses can positively impact patients and families.
“My brother had to have open heart surgery for a congenital issue,” Hayley said. “I remember the nurses taking such good care of him and our whole family. The interventions and care they provided were helpful, and they were very comforting to my family during a trying time.”
She knew then, at age 8, that she wanted to spend her life in healthcare helping families such as hers and began to learn more about nursing as a career option.
“I realized there are so many different things you could do, depending on your circumstances and stage of life,” she said. “I didn’t have the courage or confidence to pursue nursing right out of high school, but I’m so glad I decided to go back to school a few years later.”
With her adult life established in Lynchburg, she wanted to remain local. She chose Centra College because it was a good fit with her family life and had a great reputation.
A scholarship award made possible by the Centra Foundation’s Fray Family Scholarship Fund helped Hayley make her dreams a reality. The fund is one of many that provides assistance to nursing students at Centra College and continuing medical education for Centra Caregivers. Many graduates go on to provide care in a Centra facility.
“I had a great experience there and am so grateful for all of my instructors,” she said. “I learned so much.”
After completing her clinical hours and becoming familiar with Centra hospitals, “it seemed like a great transition to apply to work there,” she said. Hayley now works in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital helping patients who have experienced different kinds of trauma and those who have had abdominal or vascular surgery.
She credits the scholarship with helping her achieve her dreams and learn how to provide excellent care for patients – much like the care she remembers her family receiving.
“I am so grateful,” she said. “The scholarship allowed me to continue my education, provide for my family and help others. Thank you!”
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