Adrian Nava
Quick Facts
B.S., summa cum laude, Nursing, 2021
Registered Nurse, Telemetry Unit, Swedish Medical Center – First Hill
Student, D.N.P. Program, Seattle University
“Civility is seeing each individual as a human being: to be able to understand them individually and show compassion.”
Notable: First-generation student, Additional language: Tagalog
Civility Research Project: Healthcare Inequality: Implicit Stereotype Bias in Minority Groups
Transfer Institution: Highline College, Associate of Arts, 2016; South Seattle College, Nursing Prerequisites, 2019
Service & Work:
Operations Coordinator, Stop The Bleed, 2020
Student Admissions Ambassador, Admissions Office, 2019 – 2021
Highline Medical Center Telemetry Unit, Volunteer, 2017–2018
American Red Cross, Volunteer, 2017–2019
Ballard Food Bank, Medical Assistant Volunteer, 2018–2019
Awards & Honors:
Distinguished Graduating Student Award
President's List/ Dean's List, 2020 – 2021
Vice President of Membership, Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, 2020 – 2021
President, BSN Transfer Class of 2021
Treasurer, Seattle University Student Nurses Association (SUSNA), 2019–2020
Member, Tau Sigma Honor Society, 2020 – 2021
Alfie Scholars Cohort 2019
Charles E. Riley Scholarship 2019
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2017–2019
Adrian’s Story
My family and I moved from the Philippines to the United States when I was six years old. I am the second eldest out of four children, and I am an identical twin. I am the first in my family to attend college. I hope to be a good example for my siblings and to inspire them to pursue a higher education, an opportunity my parents never got in the United States. Pursuing a higher education was a challenge for me. I worked full time to support myself financially through community college. Learning to balance my time for work and school was a maze of its own, but I managed to get myself through community college to earn my Associates Degree. I value my education. My parents always told me that education will give you a chance at a better life. When times became difficult for me to move on, I always clung to the idea of my hard-working mother, always working two jobs to support my family. With her as my motivation and inspiration, I am able to move further and keep striving for my goals. In the words of Nelson Mandela, my motto is “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” My goal is to have a positive impact in any person’s life whatever that may be. I may not be able to change the world all at once, but one pebble can set the sea in motion.
My mother has always taught me what patience and hard work will give you at the finish line. She always quoted from the bible: “You will reap what you sow.” Growing up, my parents always told me that what you plant now, will blossom in the future. Along with this motto, my parents always emphasized the love for family and the love for others. I learned to show compassion and love towards others though they may be different from me. This shaped the person I am today. My goal is to be a leader not only in my career, but also in our community, and to show love and compassion in all the work that I do. I will implement my love and compassion for others as I serve the underrepresented and underserved in our community.
I have worked and volunteered at many health organizations and have developed a passion for community health. I saw many underrepresented families in the healthcare system. My goal as a future nurse is to advocate for the underrepresented people in our community, especially those who cannot access proper healthcare. I am continuing my road to higher education to pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I want to further educate families, especially those in minority groups, on how to stay well and live a healthy life. I feel that God has opened this opportunity for me at Seattle University to be a positive change in people’s lives as well as our community. I will continue to live out what I have learned through experiences and knowledge as an Alfie Scholar and plan to continue the work of civility throughout everything that I do.
Goals:
I have worked in community health as a lead Medical Assistant for two years, and the main population we served were the underserved, mainly those who are in a minority group who cannot afford proper healthcare. My ultimate goal is to serve the underserved in our community in healthcare, especially those who do not have access to proper healthcare and direct them to the right resources. I want to be their advocate, be their voice, and represent them in our community.
On Civility:
For me, civility is seeing each individual as a human being: to be able to understand them individually and show compassion. When we learn to show love and compassion, only then will we see what truly unites us as human beings. From there, we can grow as a civil and just society.
