Dan Yourk: One Male student nurse's story

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Dan Yourk didn't start out as a typical nursing student or typical college student for that matter. After attending high school in North Dakota he decided to join the US Army. Although he worked with ordering and keeping track of supplies while enlisted he knew he wanted some kind of medical career. After work he would head to an on-post campus of a local college where he was pursuing a degree in psychology while attaining a GPA of about 3.75. By this time, Dan was married to a nurse. Maura, his wife, a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, had nothing but great things to say about her alma mater. Dan learned a lot about nursing and its many opportunities from Maura, whetting his appetite to discover more and eventually to apply to Pitt's School of Nursing.

"When I think back I should have applied to several schools of nursing. I only applied to Pitt and was very fortunate to be accepted. I liked being in the Army and I decided getting back in as an officer would be a good thing once I graduated so I applied to be a ROTC student and qualified for a scholarship. I believe it was the School of Nursing's reputation that helped me get that scholarship." Dan continued, "Because I was doing a lot of paperwork to not only enter the School of Nursing but to be in compliance with the Army, many things had to be done within rigid timelines. People at the School of Nursing recognized my special case and couldn't have been more accommodating. I was impressed with all the help I received during the whole process." Dan remarked that everyone kept him well informed. If they didn't know an answer to a question they found someone who did. He feels he could sum up his treatment as being made to feel very welcome and an important part of the School.

Now that Dan has experienced the school and its program for several years he was asked to share his impressions, as a senior student, about the School. Dan mentions he has spoken to nursing students from other schools and he says they seem to have a much longer list of complaints than he and his fellow nursing students.

"The School of Nursing here is not perfect, I have a couple of minor complaints-but overall its an excellent school, in my opinion." Much of Dan's praise was for his professors and clinical instructors. He finds them very approachable and dedicated.

"Many of them are so enthusiastic about nursing." he commented. He is also impressed with the fact that all clinical faculty must work about one day per week in the clinical practice of their specialty to keep their clinical skills polished. Dan remarked that he felt that it was positive for students to be able to start clinical practice early in the sophomore year, not as a junior like in many other schools.

When asked about what life was like as a male nursing student he chuckled; "Males are very much made to feel included here. We are a minority but staff and faculty go out of their way to make us feel part of the class. I have never been ridiculed or made to feel like we don't belong." Recommending other students, both male and female to the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing is something Dan says he has done and will continue to do.

As a senior, Dan is looking into the not too distant future. He owes the Army four years of service because of his ROTC scholarship and he is eager about being commissioned as a second lieutenant, an officer, upon graduation. Flight nursing is something he would consider in civilian life although he can imagine himself having a long Army career, eventually being addressed as General Dan Yourk!