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Elena McGoey

10x

Finalist

7x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Horseback Riding
  • Flute
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Exploring Nature And Being Outside
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Church
  • Birdwatching
  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Dance
  • Reading
  • Bible Study
  • Mentoring
  • Nursing
  • Medicine
  • Social Justice
  • Animals
  • Baking
  • Board Games And Puzzles
  • Conservation
  • Farming
  • Gardening
  • Human Rights
  • Mental Health
  • Public Health
  • Teaching
  • Biking And Cycling
  • Crafting

Reading

  • Historical
  • Thriller
  • Suspense
  • Social Issues
  • Mystery
  • Parenting
  • Adult Fiction
  • Classics
  • Cookbooks
  • Family

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hello! My name is Elena McGoey, and I am a nursing (BSN) student at Watts College of Nursing and a single mother. I graduated with my Bachelors from The Ohio State University in 2023, and although I was accepted to all the veterinary schools I applied for, upon much reflection I recognized that my passion was within nursing. I intend to become an inpatient labor and delivery, postpartum, or NICU nurse and support medical interventions and programming in underserved areas in North Carolina, with special interests in women's health services and mental health. I am passionate about combatting stigmas regarding single mothers, survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and disability. I intend to volunteer through medical aide programming for underserved areas and following natural disasters, and establish a North Carolina branch of the National Association of Catholic Nurses. A long-term goal of mine that will utilize my previous work in Animal Sciences is to establish a nonprofit that rehomes neglected farm animals and provides animal-assisted therapeutic programming for the disabled community. My nursing career will allow for a lifetime of dedication to sacrificial care while balancing my dedication to my daughter as her mother and non-profit plans. I am grateful for the redirection to a career that better suits my strengths and passions, and am excited to finish nursing school. Thank you for stopping by and considering me as a recipient of your scholarship! Reach me at elenamcgoey@gmail.com with any questions or for my resume.

Education

Watts School of Nursing

Bachelor's degree program

2024 – 2026

Majors:
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Bachelor's degree program

2019 – 2023

Majors:
  • Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs
  • Animal Sciences
Minors:
  • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Majors of interest:
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Student Nurse, Duke Regional Hospital Units 7-1 & 4-1

    Hospital & Health Care · Duke University Health System

    Jan 2025 – Jan 2025

  • Clinical Support Technician (Nurse Aide, Unit Coordinator)

    Hospital & Health Care · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Ophthalmology Research Technician

    Veterinary · North Carolina State University

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • Student Surgical Assistant, Experimental Surgery

    Veterinary · The Ohio State University, University Animal and Laboratory Resources

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2023

  • Large Animal Veterinary Care Assistant, Farm Animal and Theriogenology

    Veterinary · The Ohio State University, Veterinary Medical Center

    Jan 2023 – Present

  • Wildlife Center Intern

    Environmental Services · Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh Wildlife Rehab Center

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2020

  • Water's Edge Animal Care Intern

    Environmental Services · Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2022

  • Pet Care Associate

    Retail · PetSmart

    Jan 2019 – Jan 2020

  • Animal Care Intern, Australia and The Islands department

    Environmental Services · Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2022

  • Animal Care Intern, North America and Polar Frontier departments

    Environmental Services · Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

    Jan 2022 – Jan 2022

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Registered nurse, CCRN certification, ACNP/CCNP working in inpatient women's health (L&D or Postpartum/Mother-Baby) after building enough critical experience.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Mental Health Importance Scholarship
Mental health allows me to ensure I am the best self, so that I can show up for my daughter every day. Mental health is critical to the overall well-being of my soul, and while people cannot see the mental health aspect like they would for physical health, it is crucial to maintain a healthy mental state to be able to put your best foot forward, conquer the highs and lows of life, and allow your cup to be full enough that you can show up for the people you love. My mental health suffered deeply during my pregnancy and after the birth of my daughter. My daughter was a product of a sexually abusive relationship that began when I was a minor, and while I consider my daughter the biggest blessing of my life, bringing her into the world and adjusting took a toll on my mental health. I was escaping an abusive relationship, healing from intense trauma, raising a child solo, and attending a school full-time away from family. I don't know how all of that would not take a toll on someone! I started to prioritize my mental health when I realized how my severe PTSD and generalized anxiety symptoms were affecting my time with my daughter and my studies. It was impossible for me to show up as a present mother and student (and the best version of myself) if I did not address my mental health. I sought regular intense therapy and medications for my diagnosed PTSD to start my mental healing, which made a world of difference as my mental health was able to return to baseline levels. Therapy gave me the toolkit to maintain my mental wellness long after I got my diagnoses under control. Today, I am able to approach the world with a much-increased skill set for dealing with stress due to my traumatic experiences and successfully healing from those experiences. I maintain my healthy mental state by regularly seeking outlets for stress, including physical activity, social activities with friends and family, outside/nature time, reading, and dedicated pampering 'me time.' I am able to enjoy many calming activities, such as exercise and reconnecting with nature, with my daughter, which allows me to pass onto her healthy habits to reduce stress and maintain overall well-being. I practice my faith every day and rely on my Catholic faith, especially prayer, to get me through rough patches. I have named my triggers from my trauma, know how to respond to these triggers in healthy coping mechanisms, and practice the art of gratitude to help me through those tough days. Thanks to therapy, I provide affirmations to myself when I experience feelings of anxiety and self-doubt, and I have loved teaching these habits to my daughter to build her self-worth and set her up for success in a world in which children are experiencing more negative mental health outcomes. Addressing my mental wellness was a game changer for me and will continue to play a huge role in my little family of two.
Elena McGoey Student Profile | Bold.org