The following is an interview with 2019 Luna nursing graduate Marissa Archuleta.
When did you graduate from the Luna nursing program?
I graduated from Luna Community College in May 2019 with honors (magna cum laude). I became a licensed registered nurse in August of 2019 when I sat for my state boards.
Where did you attend high school and what year did you graduate from high school?
I attended the West Las Vegas School District until sixth grade. I then attended Robertson High School and graduated in May 2015 with honors. I have always held a high appreciation for both school districts as they both had wonderful educators who helped shape me into the individual I have become. Elizabeth Ulibarri, Señora Pacheco, Mrs. Demarco-Chandler, Mrs. Ortiz, Señora Flores y Señor Rodriguez helped me become enriched in my Hispanic culture and my love for Spanish, writing, and health sciences.
What other degrees or certificates have you earned since leaving Luna?
After graduating from LCC, I enrolled in the RN-to-BSN program at UNM (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). As a high school student, I took advantage of the many dual credit courses offered at NMHU and LCC, which is why I was able to earn my BSN degree from UNM in just 10 months with the honor of a cum laude designation.
In addition, what degree or certificate are you currently earning and in what college or university are you earning your credentials?
Just recently, I was accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner Program at New Mexico State University. The program will help prepare me to earn my clinical doctorate so that I may practice as a certified family nurse practitioner in the state of New Mexico. The application process was very lengthy and competitive. I first applied in January of 2021; I made a second interview in March and was notified of acceptance in April. The program selected 20 applicants from across the country into the doctoral program.
What type of job and career would you like to be in, say five or 10 years from now?
Ten years from now, I hope to own my own family practice where I can provide healthcare services to the rural populations in need. I love working in pediatrics, and women’s health, but I do see a great need for chronic care management such as cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and diabetes across the lifespan.
What made you go into nursing?
I grew up with many nurses in my family. My grandma is a retired nurse from NMBHI. She was always able to provide for her family of seven with the career she chose, and I have always valued the knowledge she possessed as a nurse. I considered medical school in my teenage years, but I wanted to pursue a career where I would have a better relationship with patients such as that found in nursing.
What is the most enjoyable and most difficult aspect of the nursing industry?
My most enjoyable aspect of nursing is knowing how much of an impact I can have on a patient for going that extra mile to make sure they are cared for. I feel at ease driving home at the end of the day knowing that each patient I care for has some peace of mind or ease with the care I was able to provide for them that day. One of my most enjoyable moments I have had thus far is helping to vaccinate thousands of community members in southern New Mexico with the COVID-19 vaccine. It has been a difficult year with the pandemic, so it is rewarding to know that each person I inoculate with the vaccine is that much safer from the detrimental effects of the COVID-19.
What jobs have you had in nursing?
I have worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, and I worked as a Primary Care Clinician at Christus St. Vincent in Santa Fe. I now work at New Mexico State Aggie Health and Wellness Center, which is a very fortunate job to have! This job opportunity has allowed me to pursue my graduate studies with financial assistance provided through educational advancement at NMSU.
How was your experience as a student in Luna’s nursing program?
I enjoyed my experience very much and do not believe I would have had the moral support that LCC provided me with elsewhere. I enjoyed having good relationships with my mentors and instructors who really pushed me to my limits because they believed what I was capable of becoming. I was able to form good networks with preceptors and instructors in the surrounding areas, and local hospitals, which has helped me to branch out and start a successful career.
Would you recommend Luna’s nursing program to prospective students? If so, why?
Absolutely! I am proud to say I finished nursing school debt free because of the affordable tuition rates that LCC has in place. The smaller cohort size and atmosphere at LCC helped me to develop close relationships with my peers and instructors. I did not feel intimidated to branch out and ask for further explanations and help when needed. The state-of-the-art simulation lab helped me practice and advance my skills tremendously as a nursing student. When I visited clinical rotations, I felt confident and ready to go because of the skill I was developing through LCC’s nursing program. (Also driving down the hill after a long day of class or clinicals to a home-cooked meal at my mom’s house was a huge perk of attending LCC!)
What advice do you give a high school or non-traditional student that is looking for a career in nursing?
Attending a large university or college far away from home is not the only way to achieve success in your life. The avenues and paths I took to becoming a future nurse practitioner came from the trust I had in LCC to provide me with a firm foundation in my education. I had to take the same national board-certified test to become an RN that students at other top colleges and universities took, so that itself shows the high level of education that LCC can provide to students. The many trades, and programs offered at LCC can be the start to an entire journey that you are meant to set out on!
Twenty-five or 30 years down the road (or more) what do you want to be saying about your nursing career?
Twenty-five years down the road I would like to say that my nursing career provided me with the means to support my children, spouse and family as well as grant me the opportunities to practice at the highest level of my degree. Most of all I would hope to become a pillar for the community where I live by providing health care to families of all ages, and races.
Who was your biggest influence in life and why?
My mom was a first-generation college student who has had a successful career and life because of the educational opportunities that NMHU brought to her. My mom has traveled the world, studied abroad, and has always provided for her family because of the endless possibilities that education brought her. My biggest influence in perusing my doctorate comes from my dad, who has always told me “Education is something no one can ever take away from you.” I remember the days where my dad would tell me “Hijita, I just know you can be a doctor someday” and those words seemed like such a dream as I would just giggle and shrug my shoulders, but now they are a reality I am about to live out, and I owe it to my parents for teaching me the importance of school, and education.
What inspires you every day to be the best in your profession?
I understand the amount of trust, and faith that goes into working with doctors and nurses in times of trial and hardship, and for this, I try to be the best person I can be as a nurse.
Please share any final comments.
Thank you to my mom, dad for pushing the importance of education. Thank you, Isaac, for pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and chase my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. Thank you to the many educators at LCC who helped me to reach success thus far. To my wonderful nursing instructors — Maxine, Shawntell, Kim, Susan, and Lucia — thank you! The endless possibilities and dreams you are in pursuit of are often just right outside your door.
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Luna 2019 nursing graduate Marissa Archuleta has earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of New Mexico. Recently, she was accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner Program at New Mexico State University. Courtesy photo
