Meet Grayce.

Former baton twirler. Future road tripper and national park explorer. Adores coffee, reading, her black cat, Coraline, and the movie of the same name. Daughter of an ER nurse, a future ER nurse herself, and a student leader who's taken part in the Virginia Nursing Association's "Lobby Days" (a day celebrating nursing advocacy). Loves her pediatric clinical rotation and clinical instructor Mary Howell. An accelerated BSN student and member of the Class of 2024.

WHY NURSING?

"Growing up, my neighbor ran an in-home hospice care business, and from age eight, I'd go over and read to the patients and help feed them. One patient I always remember in particular because she was the first person I genuinely helped care for, and we created such a special connection. I would walk over with a huge pile of books and point to which ones she wanted me to read to her that day.

"Over the years, I've had multiple family members, including my godmother, go to hospice care, and I will never forget the impact the nurses there had. They helped brighten those dark times. So it's really true that my life experiences are really what drove me to nursing.”

WHY UVA?

"I attended ODU for my first two years of college and transferred into UVA because of faculty here and the support I got. While applying to nursing schools, I attended an in-person info session for the accelerated BSN program and I remember how much they talked about how faculty here support nursing students and work hard to promote their well-being. That sold me. And I can't lie: I'm happy to say that they truly lived up to what they said. Nursing school is extremely challenging, especially being in an accelerated program, but the support I've had along the way from faculty alone has been incredible!"

FAVORITE CLINICAL SO FAR

“My pediatric rotation has been the best one; my group and instructor are what made it so great. We all got really close, and (clinical instructor) Mary Howell is just one of the best teachers there are. I think it's hard to choose just one professor because I've had so many I've connected with and adored, which is really been my favorite part of the accelerated BSN program: it's such a small cohort and so you really get to know your professors and build great connections."

UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A WORD?

"Family. I genuinely can't think of a better word. Everyone is here to uplift you and cheer you on. I spend more time in offices just chatting with faculty members than I do in the lobby! It's just such a close-knit community and that is something I truly cherish."