We asked Dariia Solomin, '27, who comes to Salem State from Dnipro, Ukraine and now residing in Salem, MA about her experience in the Salem State School of Nursing.
Why did you decide to study nursing at Salem State?
I heard a lot of good things about the Salem State nursing program. The thought of studying in Salem was so exciting to me - it is a very good location and relatively small community in which you really can make an impact. I graduated from nursing school in Ukraine with my four-year degree, and even though it is not recognized here, I realized that the desire to become a nurse is much stronger than the feeling of disappointment over four years spent in school. Salem State gave me an opportunity to get a nursing degree in the US, while providing me with even more opportunities to improve myself as a professional.
What has been your favorite nursing course at Salem State so far? Who taught it?
My favorite nursing course at Salem State was Med-Surg taught by Sheila Perrault. It was very demanding, requiring a lot of time in the hospital and a lot of time for studying theory part of it, and I think this is what made it so interesting to me. I was able to engage with the material in such a meaningful way, and after taking this course nursing as science has never been clearer to me: I finally had most of the picture completed. What really helped me with Med surg is asking why. Instead of trying to memorize (I am not a big fan of memorizing to begin with), I started understanding.
What kind of nursing care do you plan to pursue? Is there a nursing specialty you are interested in?
I thrive in a high pressure environment where decisions should be made very quickly. I interpret my passion towards critical care as a privilege, because it is not easy. I am going to become a critical care nurse, and then a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. When I lived in Ukraine I wanted to become an anesthesiologist after some time of practicing nursing. After starting my degree here in the US, I realized how much I love nursing. And the best part of it is that nursing is such a broad profession with so many opportunities, that I was able to find exactly what I was looking for - anesthesia. Growing up spending time in hospitals as a child, moments of peace often come only through the grace of anesthesia. It completely changes your perception of medicine, pain and recovery.
I also really want to teach nursing. I have been a peer tutor on campus since the second semester of freshman year and a peer mentor for first-generation students working at the First Year Experience office since my sophomore year. I like helping students because I know how challenging some classes can be, and how challenging it can be to study in college and transition overall. I hope to one day bring my unique background back to Salem State classrooms.
Describe your experience at Salem State's in the School of Nursing. In what ways have your courses prepared you to be a nurse?
I am grateful for my prior experience in Ukraine because it gives me a unique perspective on how nursing is taught at Salem State. I learned nursing here not only as a science, but as a philosophy. Salem State taught me to recognize my worth as a professional, as a scholar and as a person who cares about others. It taught me something more than “assess first, diagnose second.” It taught me that true nursing skill lies not only within knowing pathology and the nursing process, but also within being the most compassionate version of yourself.
What do you like most about studying nursing at Salem State?
The sense of the community, professors and opportunities. Where I am from we don`t really have a lot of opportunities to conduct research, engage with school work and the community. I appreciate how the school of nursing helps me thrive academically and
professionally by helping me understand concepts that I don`t understand, by assisting me with my research and by supporting me throughout all four years of school.
What do you love most about nursing in general?
I love the countless opportunities to learn and improve. Learning in nursing never ends.Policies change, equipment changes, you change - and every time there is a change you learn something new. And it is truly wonderful. Being a sick child and growing up in
Ukraine wasn`t easy, and as a kid I often thought that change of the system starts with ourselves. I wanted to make an impact because I never wanted any other child to suffer as much as I did. My passion for nursing overall is deeply personal.
What advice would you give to future nursing students?
Doesn`t matter where you come from - the nursing profession has a place for everyone.Study, be passionate to learn, but remember that to be able to take care of others, you have to first take care of yourself.