Catherine Justice ’18 knew she was joining a good nursing program the minute she walked into Gleeson Hall several years ago. She had wanted to become a nurse since high school, and quickly recognized that a Farmingdale degree would give her an advantage.<\/p>\n
“When I first applied to the Nursing program, they required me to go through steps prior to being accepted. I had to take an online test and interview with a faculty member. At the time I thought, if they\u2019re gonna make me do all of this, they must be serious about the students they recruit.”<\/p>\n
Dr. Denny Ryman, dean of the School of Health Sciences, and Dr. Lori Goodstone, chair of the Nursing department, are indeed serious about that, and they found a good one in Justice. Just a year out of school, she’s a nurse at Long Beach Nursing and Rehab Center.<\/p>\n
“In my position, I administer medication, act as supervisor periodically, update residents’ charts with results and consultations, notify doctors on changes with the patients, and the list goes on,” Justice says. “Never a dull moment.”<\/p>\n
Now, Justice rarely has a spare moment. She is Director of Strategic Planning at Millennial Scnce<\/a><\/strong> (sic), a not-for-profit founded by a friend that offers students from low-income communities free programs and resources related to STEM fields. It’s a fancy title for a volunteer. “In my position I search for potential venues that we can bring our program to,” Justice says. “As well as planning future events that will appeal to and stimulate the children.”<\/p>\n Justice is doing a great job so far. Last summer Millennial Scnce sponsored 10 events at three libraries. Now she has her sights set on bigger venues.<\/p>\n “Going forward, my goal for Millennial Scnce is to expand into the school education system. Next year, the goal is to be incorporated into two school systems.”<\/p>\n It’s a big leap, but anyone who has gone through the Nursing program with five appearances on the Dean’s List has proven she has what it takes.<\/p>\n If you’d like to help bring free STEM education to school children, volunteer here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n
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