Nursing student follows father’s college path thanks to Alumni Scholarship

There were a lot of things Lauren Guise ’23 had on her college checklist. First, it was important that she find a strong Nursing program. Second, she wanted to stay close to home. And third, it had to be affordable.

Finding all those things did not take long. “It was a pretty easy choice,” she says. “I knew York College had everything I was looking for.”

Guise’s father, Denton Guise ’95, attended York College for his Behavioral Science degree. His experience was a positive one, and he encouraged his daughter to check out the school. “He was pretty laid back about it,” Guise says. “But I knew it meant something for him to suggest I look at York College.”

Making an impact

Guise knew she wanted to help others. She saw several family members suffer with different health needs over the years and admired the people who helped them heal. It led her to work as a nursing assistant at WellSpan York Hospital while she pursues her Nursing degree.

“What inspires me is being able to see somebody at their worst and help them get to a point where they can get back into the community and keep living a healthy life,” she says. “I see that a lot in my role at the hospital now and know I can make an even bigger impact as a nurse.”

There’s a lot to consider when going through a nursing program, she says. There are clinicals to prepare for, books and uniforms to purchase, and a lot of studying. While the work is challenging, Guise knows the rewards of her efforts will be great. All “the extras” don’t concern her as much thanks to an Alumni Scholarship she received.

“I have definitely worried less about buying the things I need because of the scholarship,” she says. “It has allowed me to focus more on the things that need my attention, like classes and studying.”

‘A lot of satisfaction’

When Guise thinks of her career, she envisions herself working in pediatrics or NICU. The interactions she has had with kids at York Hospital have shown her how innocent children can be in their hardships, she says. The kind of care they need goes beyond their medical needs, and a smile or giggle can change their entire outlook.

Even now, she sees the impact she can have in someone’s life. That sometimes means her job might go beyond giving treatment and require her to take the time to listen, laugh, or hold a hand.

“I think this is a career where I’ll get a lot of satisfaction,” Guise says. “It’s about doing something that makes someone else feel better. I can’t think of anything that’s really more rewarding than that.”