Grace Hassanieh didn't set out to become a nurse. She set out to understand nutrition — but it was the people that changed everything.
After earning her degree in nutrition science from UC Davis, Hassanieh began working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and it was there, at patients' bedsides, that she found her calling. She watched nurses navigate complex care with skill and compassion. She listened. She learned. And she was welcomed into a culture that took collaboration seriously.
"They were very encouraging of me going into nursing, but they also taught me about the importance of collaboration in nursing, really working with each other, communicating, and most importantly, listening to each other as well as the patients,” she says.
That foundation brought her to the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing, where she’s earning her BS in Nursing (BSN) through the Accelerated (UCAN) pathway. She says she chose CU Anschutz Nursing because of its reputation and for the opportunity to develop her skills in a health care environment. The style of the accelerated program is what made her realize she wanted to pursue critical care nursing.
"The fast-paced nature of the program itself really helped me establish an interest in working in an environment where I can apply my critical thinking skills at the moment to help my patients get better," Hassanieh said.
That instinct for high-stakes care was put to the test during her time shadowing nurses on the burn unit of the ICU — one of the most demanding environments in medicine. There, she witnessed not just the physical toll of serious burns, but the long emotional road patients face in recovery.
"One of the most painful processes is not only just really seeing the damage that's been done to them, but also realizing that they might have to live with it too,” she says. “So really helping them gain that confidence back and really establishing a better outlook on life going forward is truly a rewarding experience as a nurse.”
Her experience revealed a passion for wound care that she hopes to carry into a critical care career.
Keys to Success as a BSN Student
Hassanieh's biggest piece of advice to students considering a degree in the UCAN pathway is to stay organized. She says developing a routine is key to being successful in the program.
"You can use a manual planner, or a Google Calendar. I know some students who use Post-it notes to write down what they need to do for the day,” she says. “As long as you get it done, if it helps and works for you, it's perfect."
She also emphasized the range of career options students can pursue as a nurse. She recommends researching and shadowing different nursing careers to find what works best.
And she says, at the end of the day, becoming a nurse is really about wanting to help people.
And when it comes to the heart of it all?
"Nursing isn't a glamorous job, but if you're willing to help people out like a nurse, as an educator, and as an advocate, then you're in a good spot.”
