Catching Up with Daysi Rodriguez, BSN ’22

Daysi Rodriguez, BSN graduate (Class of 2022) and Montana Gray Scholarship recipient, took time from their busy schedule to answer a few questions for NHS. Thank you Daysi for allowing us to hear more about what you’ve been doing since graduation.

Tell us about yourself and what led you to UW Bothell.  

UW is known for its high ranking in its educational nursing program, and nursing is a career that growing up,I have envisioned myself to become. From my experience with a home health nurse that supported me during my pregnancy at a very young age.  Nursing for me is more than just education but a career that is more personal level and I care passionately about. I wanted to be part of a program that facilitates my yearn for leanring and growing as a nurse.  

How did your experience in your coursework help you find your career path?

Taking the BSN coursework has molded my critical thinking abilities and expanded my network of resources available for me to utilize in my practice. As a BSN prepared nurse, I’ve gained further knowledge in fieldwork (working directly with patients) and developed defined goals on what next steps I want to take in my career. What I loved about the BSN program was that it taught me the importance of patient advocacy, today’s current health care disparities, having a voice and reaching out to legislators within our cities, and looking within ourselves to analyze our biases. This passion for wanting to better serve my community inspired me to become an educator and share what I’ve learned with others. 

Was there a faculty, staff, or student service that had a positive impact on your success?

As I enrolled in new courses, I can honestly say every faculty I encountered were so supportive and helpful with expanding my thinking during classroom discussion. I can assure this was the reason why my grades were outstanding! I was even placed in the Dean’s list of achievements and offered and accepted to be in the national nurse society in which a special ceremony induction was made to recognize my success in the program. 

Where has life taken you since graduation?

Over the years, I have crossed through multiple nursing specialties from general med surg, to working in home health, branching out to dermatology, then taking a role as a district school nurse, which lead me to becoming a surgical nurse specialist in which I’ve gained experience in all areas of surgery (pre-op/OR/PACU). Taking these various roles and placing myself in vulnerable positions, and I grew a vision to pursue education and become a nurse educator to share my experiences with other fellow nursing students. 

What are your future plans? 

I plan to return to UW to participate in the master’s program they offer.  I wish to have this MSN program help me achieve my goals of being a nurse educator and share the importance these educators have in the healthcare field and practice. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers/audience? For example, how do you spend your time outside of work/school?

Nursing as a career has brought discipline in my life. I’ve adapted this skill to many activities I do outside of work. I go to the gym routinely, involved in a coed soccer, volleyball, and softball team. Spend time with my son and dog during my downtime, and most importantly try to keep up with all the house chores I have like the endless piles of laundry.