We asked Emily DiCologero, 2026 who comes to Salem State from Peabody, MA, about her experience in the Salem State School of Nursing.
Why did you decide to study nursing at Salem State?
I have felt a deep calling over my life to pursue nursing and Salem State provided a very tangible way to achieve that goal. Attending the nursing program at Salem State has allowed me to stay close to home and graduate with minimal student debt, without jeopardizing the quality of my education. Additionally, the opportunity to explore several different local hospitals through clinical rotations was a feature of Salem State’s Nursing Program that was of great interest to me.
What has been your favorite nursing course at Salem State so far? Who taught it?
My favorite nursing course is Med Surg with Professor Sheila Perrault. This is the course where I felt like all the information I learned in the first two years of nursing school finally clicked. With each class prior to Med Surg I was able to make more sense of the content and build on what I already knew, but it wasn’t until Sheila addressed my reoccurring question of “Why?” through her lectures, then all the pieces fell right into place. Med Surg teaches you to not only know the signs and symptoms of a given condition, but to really challenge yourself to think about why each manifestation is happening the way it is. “Why are we doing this intervention? Why does this symptom make sense considering what is happening with the patient’s status? Why is this treatment the better choice? Why are we monitoring this lab value or assessing this system?” Professor Perrault provided much needed clarity to my persistent curiosity, and those answers to the “Why?” gave me new appreciation for the intricate creation of the human body and enhanced not only my understanding of the material, but my love of nursing. Professor Perrault is incredibly knowledgeable, and it is a privilege to learn from a nurse who is so passionate about the profession and who truly cares for her students in the classroom and beyond.
What kind of nursing care do you plan to pursue? Is there a nursing specialty you are interested in?
I plan to start my career working on a Med Surg unit. Not only do I think gaining experience in Med Surg will lay a necessary foundation of nursing knowledge if I did want to explore other specialties later on, but I genuinely enjoy the unpredictable atmosphere that is Med Surg. Ultimately, my goal is to work in Nursing Education and serve the next generation of nurses after getting some experience. I have been a Nursing Peer Tutor since my junior year, and love helping students find ways to understand difficult material through a perspective that is meaningful to them. It is so rewarding to work with students consistently and see them excel after lots of hard work and studying.
Describe your experience at Salem State's in the School of Nursing. In what ways have your courses prepared you to be a nurse?
Nursing school has pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways that I never could have imagined, both personally and professionally. Between simulation labs, clinical rotations, in-depth lectures, and more, I have gained the confidence to step into the many responsibilities that nurses hold. One of my favorite aspects of the Nursing Program at Salem State is the dedicated professors who have supported me from the minute I entered their classrooms. Each course comes with its own unique set of complexities, and with every single semester, the professors have gone above and beyond to help me be successful.
What do you like most about studying nursing at Salem State?
My involvement in the Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) has been a great joy of mine throughout my time at Salem State. As a freshman, I joined SNA which allowed me to be a part of a community of nursing students. I met students of all grades and skill levels, but it was a handful of upperclassmen students who encouraged me when I needed it most. They acted like big sisters to me and have inspired me tremendously during the initial stages of my nursing school journey. I am absolutely honored to be leading the SNA as President for a second year and to continue to pour into underclassmen, just as I was met with friendship in my first year in the program.
What do you love most about nursing in general?
There is something so impactful in knowing that another ordinary day for you at work could be one of the most memorable days in a person’s life, for better or for worse. Nurses have the unique opportunity to care for the mind, body, and soul in a way that no other profession can. In the absence of loved ones, nurses provide that voice of advocacy and comfort through uncertain situations. The presence and heart of a nurse can bring peace into some of the most challenging moments, and I look forward to all the ways that I can show up for my future patients.
What advice would you give to future nursing students?
Nursing school is what you make of it. There will be difficult clinical days, long lectures, what seems like endless studying, but you have the choice to dwell on the rigorous aspects of nursing school or embrace the season you are in. Surround yourself with a community of people who will uplift you through the ups and downs and motivate you in times of hardship. If nursing school was easy, then everyone would do it, but just because something is challenging it doesn’t mean it is impossible.