After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of Mount Saint Vincent last May, Haley Powers (‘15) landed her dream job as a Neurology and Orthopedic ICU Nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. “I absolutely love what I do every single day, It was worth all the hard and long nights throughout college!” she laughed.
Powers credits her experience with the Rockland BOCES Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) Health Science Fundamentals program with helping her to find her passion. “Tappan Zee High School and CTEC gave me the platform to accomplish my dreams. My school counselor, Betsy Sherwood (now retired), knew that the CTEC program would be the best fit for me–and it changed my life,” she said. “My CTEC teachers, Tania Mendez and Audrey McGrady, saw my potential and pushed me to be the best I could be. I became an honor student and started to love school again. They both sparked the joy of learning and loving what you do. They’ve supported me not only through high school, but throughout my life as a college student and young adult.”
When it came to choosing a college, Powers wanted a city school that was close enough to visit her family. “I loved that Mount Saint Vincent is a small school. I was able to get to know my professors and they got to know me,” she recalled. “I wanted to be in a smaller classroom environment where I would be able to focus on my studies.”
Entering college with career exploration experience was a tremendous help. “Nursing school is not easy, but I had a head start and was prepared,” Powers noted. “I’d definitely encourage current TZHS students to consider CTEC–they offer amazing opportunities to start your career at an earlier age. Follow your heart, believe in your dreams and make them happen.”
