Kellie sent us an email about life, nursing, research, and Reed. Here’s an abbreviated version of what she wrote:
I can’t believe it’s already been 5 years since I graduated from Reed! I
just wanted to give you a little update as to what I have been up to.
After graduation I worked for Dr. Francis Valiyaveetil at OHSU
department of Physiology and Pharmacology studying potassium ion
channels. I did a lot of Boc solid phase peptide synthesis and
purification. Oh boy, so much HF and TFA! I feel very fortunate to have
escaped with only a couple small scars! It was very challenging working
in a newly established lab, and working toward securing funding.
However, I am proud to say that I got published three times. That was
really rewarding, and a bit surprising. I didn’t expect that much of
myself.After 3 years in research, though, I decided that research just
isn’t for me. So I started
nursing school at Oregon Coast Community College in my hometown of
Newport. I just graduated in June and successfully passed my boards this
month. I am an RN now, can you believe it? Going to nursing school was one of the best, though least thoroughly
contemplated, decisions I’ve made. The nursing process so closely mirrors the scientific method,
but in a faster-paced and more personally intimate way. It’s so
rewarding. I hope someday to become a critical care nurse.I have to credit you and Reed for helping guide me towards this path. I
definitely learned how to think critically, learn quickly, how to be an
individual, but also how to work in a team… things that are certainly
the foundation of being a good nurse and made nursing school a lot
easier.Thanks again for all
the guidance and support …