Michelle Fernandez-Hazoury will never forget what she learned at a substance use disorder clinic in Utah: that patients deserve an open heart, not judgment.
“Working with people in recovery taught me to listen first and see the person behind the struggle,” she says. “Everyone’s story matters."
That perspective—shaped by seeing people at their most vulnerable—is what drove Fernandez-Hazoury to leave behind teaching English in Thailand and pursue nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing's Accelerated (UCAN) BS in Nursing program.
A Calling Rooted in Compassion
“Volunteering, compassion, and advocacy have always felt so natural to me,” she says. “Nursing was the career I wanted, so I could combine all of those things with my love for science.”
Working at the clinic fundamentally shifted how she sees healthcare. Patient education became paramount. Judgment became impossible. Compassion became everything.
“Anyone who is considering applying to the UCAN program should do it. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
“It’s important to be completely non-judgmental and accepting because you have no idea what this person is experiencing or has experienced,” she says. “My perspective has shifted because I’ve become more open-minded, and I approach every patient with an open heart.”
Back to School
Her upbringing in Florida also inspired her to become a nurse: her dad studied medicine in the Dominican Republic and saw the disparities in different healthcare systems.
“I was able to have great access to care because my dad was a provider, but some of my family members from the Dominican Republic had to come to the US to get the care they needed,” she says. "I realized how unfair that was, and I wanted to have a career where I could close that gap and support people while giving back to my community.”
Fernandez-Hazoury chose UCAN for its challenging, hands-on approach and emphasis on patient-centered care—values that aligned with everything her clinic experience taught her.
“I knew the program would challenge me with rigorous classes, but I also felt like the program’s emphasis on patient-centered care was a huge thing for me,” she says.
Now, she's setting her sights on ICU and critical care after graduation, where she'll bring that same non-judgmental approach to patients in crisis.
“Even though it’s a fast program, it’s very hands-on,” she says. “The relationships with hospitals, combined with the experiential learning team (ELT), have been so incredible. It all works so well together, and I’m ready to start my career because of the experiences I’ve had.”
Forming Friendships
Forming bonds and friendships with her classmates has also played a big role in her time at CU Anschutz Nursing.
Fernandez-Hazoury is co-president of the Legacy Fun Group, a student organization planning events for UCAN students at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree.
“Being part of the Legacy Fun Group is such a good way to get involved, and it makes all of us feel supported,” she says. “It’s been such a fun way to make new friends and connections, and I hope they carry on for a long time after we all graduate,” she says.
