Nursing isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling, defined by resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to others. Every day, nurses rise to meet challenges big and small, often putting their own needs aside to create space for their patients’ feelings, emotions, and pain. It’s a self-sacrificial ethos that has long been the hallmark of the profession—powering through the day’s highs and lows, finding strength in purpose, and somehow mustering the energy to do it all again tomorrow. Ahead, we honor a handful of St. Catherine University nursing graduates whose stories inspire and remind us of the profound impact of their work and the power of care.

Chinwe Obi-Walker

From the summer of 2019 to spring of 2022, Obi-Walker attended St. Kate’s for her graduate degrees, getting an inside look at how agile the nursing profession is when a major health crisis hit: the Covid-19 pandemic. Watching her professors, fellow students, and colleagues pivot equipped her to be calm and adaptable when situations call for it, she says—a hallmark trait in nurses.

Obi-Walker notes the pandemic has shifted the demand for nurses and advanced-degree roles.  “Telehealth has allowed access to care in so many ways,” she says. “Technological advances will broaden career paths that nurses can choose from, advanced practice registered nurses [APRNs] will be able to take on more leadership roles and policy reform that will help address systemic challenges, and as the need for primary care increases, APRNs may be able to take on more roles and responsibilities.”

Amid these shifts in the profession, Obi-Walker has learned how vital it is to care for herself while caring for others. Balancing the demands of nursing can be challenging, especially when the emotional load lingers long after the physical work ends. Early in her career, she recognized the critical importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“You have to be intentional about setting out time for yourself or engaging in activities that bring you immense joy,” she says. For her, “me time” ranges from taking a nap to taking salsa lessons, or simply being present with loved ones.

“Whatever your passion is, continue to nurture it!”

Ando Gatah

It was clear that nursing would be the perfect career for Gatah, combining a deep desire to help others with a passion for health care. The idea of being present during some of life’s most pivotal moments—whether it’s assisting in childbirth or providing comfort in hospice care—fueled her decision to pursue nursing, with a particular focus on pediatrics. Helping children and their families has brought immense joy and a sense of fulfillment to her professional journey.

“Combining the art of nursing and medicine is why I chose to be a pediatric nurse practitioner,” she says. “Helping others brings so much joy to me.”

When challenges come up, Gatah’s strong sense of purpose helps her stay resilient and focused on giving the best care possible—a philosophy that’s been further shaped by advice from her father:

“Work hard and make sure that your hard work makes a positive impact not only on you but others as well.” These words remain a guiding principle in her approach to life and nursing.

Her care style is defined by collaboration, evidence-based medicine, and a foundation of compassion and respect. By staying up to date on best practices and working closely with patients and their families, Gatah ensures that care is not only effective but also deeply human.

Noah Brown

For three years, Brown was actively applying to Physician Assistant programs before enrolling at St. Kate’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. By the third month, he says, everything clicked—the clinical work combined with the intensity of learning felt deeply fulfilling.

“The major takeaway from my time at St. Kate’s is that as a nurse, I am the first and last check for the holistic health of my patients,” he says. “This fact has helped me stay motivated to keep up to date on best practices and be diligent in the excellence of my charting.”

Outside of nursing, Brown has a lifelong love of music, having played the piano since the age of six. It’s a creative outlet, he says, that helps him express and process the emotional load of the profession.

His advice to aspiring medical professionals is simple yet powerful: find your reason. “I had my reason for joining the medical profession and I kept that with me even though my journey into joining the profession was different than what I [had initially set out] for,” he says. “I was able to find where I thrive and excel.”

AuBri Weatherspoon

“One of the ways to diminish the power dynamic that often exists between patients and providers is to take time to listen and to let patients know that I am there with them—not just for them.” Weatherspoon says it’s easy to lose sight of the humans that nurses support when hyperfocused on just treating the symptoms; it’s why she describes her care style as ‘relational.’

She’s a community mental health nurse on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, a model that utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach to treat and support clients with a serious mental illness.

On any given day, she sees four to six clients and meets them where they’re at—be it a homeless shelter, hospital, or library. Check-ins involve administering medication and providing case management support. But there’s always room for fun: “We may also do an activity of their choice during the visit, like go for a walk or just talk about whatever is on their mind,” she says.

Weatherspoon says she’s carried something with her from her time at St. Kate’s that serves her well—having a curious mind. “Just as I did in nursing school, I have been trying to ask more questions, challenge the norm of treatment modalities, read more articles, learn new skills, and engage in opportunities that are outside of my comfort zone.”

Kailee Petrosky

The decision to become a nurse didn’t come on a whim for Petrosky. She explored various career paths before choosing nursing for its unique blend of flexibility and long-term stability. The idea of a career that could evolve alongside her interests is what sealed the deal—she currently works in developmental and behavioral pediatrics.

“It seems like there’s constantly new research and information coming out about how to best support this population,” she says.

Reflecting on her time at St. Kate’s, she credits the strong sense of community as one of the most important lessons she’s brought with her to the profession. She says the connections she built with faculty and peers have remained long after graduation: “…[they] continue to be a support in my life.” The unified culture she found at school mirrors what she values most about the nursing profession: its diversity and potential for connection. For anyone considering this path, her advice is to embrace its many opportunities and explore where you can make the greatest impact.

“I think it’s good to not be afraid to try a new pathway—sometimes what we want right out of school is different than what pulls our interest a few years into the career.”

Currently, Petrosky works in a clinic and sees a variety of children and their families throughout the day. “My day is usually filled with both intake appointments, where I meet a family and spend time getting to know them and their child, as well as follow-up visits where I talk with patients and families about what’s going on with them and if our plan of care needs to be adjusted.”