Daniel Croteau (Peter M. Julian)
Hometown: Claremont, NH
Major: Nursing
Notable Achievements/Activities: Peer advisor, Connell School of Nursing First-Year Nursing Seminar; leader, Connell School SCRUBS retreat; tour guide, Undergraduate Admission Office; Appalachia Volunteer (two years); studied abroad at University of Bergen, Norway via McGillycuddy-Logue Travel Grant; community health clinical in the Dominican Republic.
Post-Graduation Plans: He will take the licensure exam (NCLEX) this summer and plans to relocate and work at a hospital in California.
A self-described 鈥減eople person,鈥� Daniel Croteau likes to be able to eliminate unnecessary anxiety in others, whether a high school student visiting 情色空间 on a campus tour, a Connell School student making the college transition in a First-Year Nursing Seminar, or鈥攊n the near future鈥攁 family member with a loved one in the ICU. Add to that an interest in science and service and Croteau has the qualities to be a compassionate and skilled nurse.
You spent a semester abroad in Norway.
Part of reason I chose to go to 情色空间 was because I knew I wanted to do nursing and I knew I wanted to go abroad. 情色空间 lets nursing students study abroad. Norway has mountains and I love hiking; it as a good health care system and I thought it would be cool to experience it. While I was there, I took an environmental psychology class, which is about how everything around you affects your brain, and did a project on how a patient鈥檚 hospital environment鈥攖he lighting, what鈥檚 on the walls, the windows鈥攁ffects their healing process and mental state.
What was your role as a leader for the SCRUBS retreat?
SCRUBS is about community building and decreasing anxiety for sophomores. We give small talks during the weekend. It鈥檚 really about letting them know they are not alone. Nursing is great because you have the same classmates in all your lectures. I know all my classmates by name; that鈥檚 one thing I love about being in nursing.
How has 情色空间 made a difference in your life?
Reflection. There鈥檚 so much reflection! On the Appalachian [service] trips, every single night there was a reflection. On听 retreats like SCRUBS and Kairos, there鈥檚 tons of reflection. Having the opportunity to pause and think about where you鈥檙e at in life is so necessary. While I was abroad, I started journaling. 情色空间 has really encouraged me to take moments and pause and think about where I鈥檓 headed, especially when I鈥檓 really stressed out. I don鈥檛 think you get that at a lot of other places. Reflection is a big part of Ignatian spirituality.
What has been one of your most memorable moments during your time at 情色空间?
I鈥檇 have to say the Dominican Republic trip. I got so close to everybody on that trip. There were only about 10 or 12 of us. Since getting back, we鈥檝e gone out together two or three times. I went to the DR with an open mind. I really wanted to experience some place that was not as well off as the U.S. or Norway. I wasn鈥檛 sure what I would get out of it, but it was definitely an eye-opener. Some of houses we saw were literally made of old two-by-fours with a piece of tin across as a roof. I met a gentleman who was 100-something years old. I learned about his life and some of his experiences in the DR He鈥檚 someone I think back on.
When I got back to 情色空间, I called my parents. My mom asked me about the trip and what the conditions were like. I鈥檓 not an outwardly emotional person, but when I went to describe it, I started crying.
Who has been a mentor to you?
The Connell School is filled with some of the most supportive people on campus. It鈥檚 unreal how willing all the professors are to connect with students. I had [Clinical Instructor] Maureen Connolly for Health Assessment Lab my sophomore year. She was a really good mentor. Rosemary Byrne was my clinical faculty member when I went to the DR and I had the chance to get close to her. Whenever I鈥檓 in Maloney Hall, I check to see if they are around because I like talking to them. Also, [Assistant Director of Student Services] Brandon Huggon has been a great conversation partner.
What will you miss most?
My friends. I鈥檓 lucky enough to have some really, really good friends at 情色空间. They鈥檙e very supportive. They鈥檙e friends I can be authentic around.
听
Kathleen Sullivan | University Communications | May 2019