Andie Anderson
What do you like about the program you are in at NJC?
I really enjoy how hands-on the nursing program is. Nursing is a career where you have to be able to take what you learn in the classroom and apply it to real people and real situations, and NJC gives us those opportunities. I have also really enjoyed getting to know my classmates and instructors throughout the program. Nursing school can be challenging, but having a supportive group of people around you makes such a difference.
What are your favorite classes?
My favorite nursing class has been psychiatric nursing. I really enjoy learning about mental health and understanding how someone's mental and emotional well-being can affect their overall health. I also find the communication aspect of psychiatric nursing really interesting because building trust and making patients feel comfortable and heard is such an important part of being a good nurse.
What has been your most memorable moment at NJC?
Some of my most memorable moments at NJC have been the experiences I have shared with my classmates and the milestones we have reached together throughout the nursing program. Nursing school can be challenging, so having people around me who understand what I am going through has made the experience especially meaningful. The moments when I have realized how much I have learned and how far I have come have probably been the most rewarding.
What advice do you have for future students attending NJC?
My biggest advice is to take advantage of your time at NJC and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. You never know where your path is going to take you. When I first attended NJC, I was here to play volleyball, and years later I came back to pursue nursing. My experience has taught me that it is okay for your plans to change and that sometimes the path you take is different than what you originally imagined. Take the opportunities in front of you, build relationships with the people around you, and don't be afraid to work toward something new.
Northeastern has always been a special place to me because I actually attended NJC before as a student-athlete. I played volleyball here during the 2020–2021 school year, so I already had a connection to the college and the community. When I decided to pursue my nursing degree, coming back to NJC felt like the right choice. I knew from my first experience here that NJC had a supportive environment, and I was excited to return in a completely different role and work toward a career that I am passionate about.
