Alyssia Jones began her academic career at Western New England University, where she was a business law major following the accelerated pre-law pathway. By the second semester of her freshman year, she decided to join the United States Army National Guard for its benefits, including financial incentives. “It wasn’t something I thought I would do, but now that I’m in, I love it,” Jones reflects. “I’ve learned so much more than I ever expected.”
During her time in the Army working as a paralegal, Jones received medical training where she realized that she has a natural talent for connecting with patients and understanding healthcare needs. Although Jones had planned to pursue law school, she found that her growing interest in healthcare shifted her plans. “It was like a light bulb went off and I wondered why I had never thought of this before,” she said. Jones decided to complete her pre-requisite courses in Connecticut and apply to the nursing program at UNC Wilmington which she began in spring 2024.
As a nursing student, Jones witnessed her first birth, an experience during her clinical rotations that has influenced the trajectory of her future career. “It was beautiful,” she says. “The energy in labor and delivery is so different. There’s so much joy and excitement. It felt like such a special moment to witness.” Jones saw another birth, this time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In the NICU, she cared for premature babies in need of critical care. “Being in the NICU felt really fulfilling. It was intense, but it gave me a sense of purpose. I love being part of those small steps forward in a baby’s progress,” she said. This experience was so strong, that after graduation, Jones hopes to work in the NICU.
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene severely impacted Western North Carolina. As a member of the National Guard, Jones volunteered to provide hurricane relief aid, where she helped to organize and inventory donated medical supplies, including insulin. Viewing the damage firsthand, Jones said, “It was a lot worse than I could have imagined – just seeing such a disaster like that right in front of you. It was really nice to know that we’re out there and really helping these people at the time that they need it the most.” The experiences that she faced in Western North Carolina has even made her consider working as a nurse in the Army at some point in the future. As she continues her journey, Jones looks forward to two more semesters of nursing school before embarking on a career healthcare and making a positive impact on the world around her.
This article has the following tags: College of Health & Human Services Academics Accomplishments Students & Alumni School of Nursing