Samantha Russomagno

NHS ’14
Age: 22
Hometown: Whitehouse Station, N.J.
Major: Nursing

How has your experience at Georgetown differed from what you originally thought?Academically, it’s been a lot harder than I anticipated. Also, I’ve really focused on extracurriculars a lot more than on a social life.

How has Georgetown’s Jesuit identity shaped your experience here?
I think it’s been a positive impact, if anything. I think it’s helped shape my future, in terms of creating holistic care that centers on spirituality and culture. I’ve become more aware, if anything, of how amazing the world is with all the different religions.

Why nursing?
Junior year of high school, I woke up with 50 bruises on my body, and within the next week, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune blood disorder that I battled for 15 months through a myriad of different treatments. From that experience, I really grew to appreciate the nurse practitioners and doctors — I had great care — and I just felt like I wanted to dedicate my life to helping people who were dealt as unfortunate a hand as I was.

Nursing, particularly at Georgetown, is notorious for the amount of work it requires. What has your experience been?
Especially because our cohort is so small — there are only 23 of us — I don’t think it’s very competitive. It’s just a lot of work and a lot of hours. I think we have a very good support group, and everyone really leans on each other, particularly because last year, we had a lot of group work. It’s kind of alleviated the amount of work we’ve had to do. It’s a very supportive atmosphere.

Since you are graduating this year, what are your plans moving forward? Does this question annoy you?
I’m going to be working at Duke University Hospital as a pediatric nurse, and no, the question does not annoy me — I’m really excited.

What was your job search experience like?
Unfortunately, I think the nursing school delays that process a little. They focus really well on it, but they really start senior spring, and by that point, some openings are already closed. But, I had a bit of an advantage because I had gotten into Duke as an extern — it’s basically an internship, but you’re paid — during the summer after junior year, and I knew that they wanted me back. I knew the position was mine if I wanted it. But, I think the nursing school is trying to do a better job of creating a database of internships as well as jobs, which displays when jobs are opening. I think they’re trying to do a better job of making it transparent. Personally, I was really proactive through my junior year. I knew what hospitals I was interested in, what summer internships they had and what they would lead to, if they would lead to anything [during] my senior year

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
Going to Duke this summer. I’m the first person on both sides of my family to be out of the tri-state area, and now, I’m a plane ride away. There’s also no certainty with my long-term boyfriend. Right now, I’m, professionally, putting myself first, and it’s been the hardest with all the factors going in my decision to move to North Carolina, but I think it’s going to be the best decision in the end.

As an alumna, will you donate to Georgetown? Why?
Yes, I hope to, especially because I’m on so much financial aid, I know a lot of it comes from alumni. I’m hoping, in the future, that I can be responsible for helping a future Hoya come here. I’m really trying to get into doing alumni interviews. I really want to stay connected to Georgetown because most likely, I won’t be back in the D.C. area for the rest of my life.

How has being an R.A. changed your perspective as a student?
It’s definitely made me appreciate my RAs in the past, because I didn’t anticipate how much work it was. We’re kind of responsible for everything that residents do and keeping them safe and whatnot, so it’s definitely made me appreciate the system more. It’s given me a different perspective of Georgetown as in, how much really goes into running the university — making it safe and promoting health, scholarship and innovation.

Anything else that you’d like to add?
It’s been a really long, hard four years, and when I compare my experiences with people at other universities, sometimes there have been times when I wish I would’ve transferred. But looking back, I don’t think I would’ve accomplished as much as I have if I wasn’t at this university. I’m just so grateful that I applied here and got accepted here. I will be a Hoya forever!

Interview by Penny Hung