Ever since she was a student at Oshkosh North High School, Katelyn Bertrand has been interested in going to college. Though she wasn鈥檛 able to start her higher education right after high school, she was eventually able to pursue this goal at 海角视频鈥檚 Iron Mountain campus.
After graduating from high school in 2017, Katelyn spent a few years working as a certified nursing assistant.
鈥淚 wanted to go to nursing school, but life just happened鈥攁ffordability was difficult,鈥� she said.
However, things started to change for Katelyn a few years later.
鈥淭hen COVID hit, and I moved up here to be closer to my mom,鈥� she said.
While being closer to family was a significant factor behind Katelyn鈥檚 decision to move, she also hoped to take nursing classes at Bay someday.
鈥淚鈥檝e been interested in nursing for as long as I can remember 鈥� part of my reason for moving up here was to get access to nursing school,鈥� she said.
Katelyn started seriously thinking about this possibility in the spring of 2022.
鈥淚 was working in a factory setting, and I wanted to move forward from that,鈥� she said.
She felt Bay would be an excellent place to study nursing for several reasons, including its affordable tuition rates and small classes.
鈥淭he small class sizes appeal to me because I feel like I always have someone cheering me on, whether it鈥檚 an instructor or a classmate that I interact with all the time,鈥� Katelyn said.
The location of Bay鈥檚 Iron Mountain campus was another perk for Katelyn.
鈥淚 live about 10 minutes away from campus,鈥� she said.
Katelyn began taking classes at Bay during the Fall 2022 semester. Today, she鈥檚 a college sophomore鈥攁nd though her classes haven鈥檛 always been easy, she hasn鈥檛 had to face any obstacles alone.
鈥淣ursing school is definitely a challenge, but I always have people supporting me,鈥� she said.
As part of this, she said her instructors were still there for her when she had to retake a few courses.
鈥淢y teachers were very encouraging when I came back to their classes for a second time,鈥� Katelyn said.
Katelyn also said she has continued to have positive relationships with her teachers after finishing their classes.
鈥淚 feel like my teachers are available for me for future letters of recommendation, or even if I need help figuring out my next steps in education,鈥� she said.
Furthermore, Katelyn has made meaningful connections with her fellow students during her time at Bay.
鈥淢y experience on campus has been very inviting鈥擨鈥檝e made some awesome friends,鈥� Katelyn said.
In addition to her studies, Katelyn is a tutor at the Student Success Center. There, she tutors anatomy and physiology through the college and works as a peer mentor through the TRIO Student Support Services Program.
鈥淭utoring is very fun. It connects me with other students on campus, which also motivates me to get my degree,鈥� she said.
Outside of classes and tutoring, Katelyn has had opportunities to express her artistic side as a Bay student.
鈥淚 enjoy doing creative things here at 海角视频. In fact, some of my art that I made is in the counselor鈥檚 office,鈥� she said.
As part of this, she has gotten involved with creative events around Bay.
鈥淚鈥檝e been asked to help lead crafting events here on campus, and I鈥檇 like to encourage my fellow classmates to go to those events,鈥� Katelyn said.
Currently, Katelyn expects to graduate from Bay in 2026 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
鈥淚 have so many dreams of what I can do beyond Bay,鈥� she said.
Specifically, she hopes to earn her bachelor鈥檚 degree and find work in the research or education fields.
For the time being, Katelyn is focused on earning her associate degree. She said her teachers and other people at Bay have gone a long way in helping her work toward her future in nursing.
鈥淏eing at 海角视频 has helped me understand that it鈥檚 okay to ask for help and search for resources if I need them,鈥� she said.