At OHSU’s five regional School of Nursing campuses, students are preparing to meet the diverse health care needs of Oregonians across the state.
Each campus is as unique as the community it serves, but their shared purpose is unmistakable. From La Grande to Ashland, you’ll find tight-knit cohorts, dedicated faculty and passionate students who are already making a lasting impact where they are needed most.
We asked students from each campus what they love most about their nursing program and community. Here’s what they had to say:
“Choosing rural nursing — and this nursing school — has been life changing. When you commit to a rural program, you have to embrace everything it offers: the people, the community, the traveling, the challenges and the rewards. From the moment I set foot on this campus, it felt as though the stars had aligned, and I was exactly where I was meant to be.
I’ve been honored to receive the Oregon Rural Nurse Scholarship and to serve as part of the student senate. Every time I put on my green scrubs, I feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Eastern Oregon is truly underrated; the natural beauty of this region is matched only by the incredible faculty and the supportive cohort I’m lucky to be part of. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be here, and I’m so proud to be pursuing my dream in such a great place.”
— Sydney Barnes, Class of 2026
OHSU School of Nursing — La Grande
“I’ve seen firsthand how easily people in need are disregarded. I’m studying to become a nurse that my patients and my peers can look up to for support, even in the worst conditions.
Nursing students of the Monmouth campus get to witness and contribute firsthand toward better health care for people who truly need it. Health deserts are prominent here and in our surrounding rural communities, and it takes a special type of perseverance to thrive with fewer resources. I have the most amazing cohort. I’ve been inspired by my peers time and time again. I’ve found role models and lifelong guides in my instructors, friends, preceptors and the patients I’ve learned from.”
— Asha Davis, Class of 2025
OHSU School of Nursing — Monmouth
“I come from a culture where caregiving is deeply ingrained in our way of life — whether it was looking after my younger siblings or supporting my grandparents through illness. These experiences showed me the profound impact of being there for others in their most vulnerable moments.
What I love most about studying nursing at OHSU is the combination of strong support, structured learning and invaluable clinical experience. The culture at OHSU makes me feel like a true contributor to the health care team, and I get to see unique cases that challenge me to think critically and expand my knowledge.
One of the most unexpected and meaningful experiences I’ve had here was meeting someone in my program who is from the same island as me. In a city thousands of miles away from home, that connection reminded me how small the world can feel in the best way. The relationships I’ve built — through study sessions, late-night debriefs after clinicals or hikes where we quiz each other on practice questions — have strengthened me throughout nursing school.”
— Isabel Soledad Ito Stoltenberg, Class of 2026
OHSU School of Nursing — Portland
“My greatest inspiration for becoming a nurse has been my mom. I have seen her work tirelessly to provide for my brother and me, often sacrificing her own needs to give us opportunities she never had. More than just a career, nursing represents an opportunity to create lasting change — not only in my own life, but for my family and my community for generations to come.
What I love most about OHSU Klamath Falls is the feeling of being truly welcomed and part of something bigger. I have no doubt that I am exactly where I’m meant to be. The sense of community, support, and shared purpose here has reaffirmed my passion for nursing and my commitment to this journey. Klamath Falls has always been home to me. As a future nurse, I believe home is where I can make the biggest impact.”
— Diego Aguirre Pena, Class of 2027
OHSU School of Nursing — Klamath Falls
“As a native of Los Angeles, the sense of community in Ashland is something I’ve never experienced before. There are so many opportunities to get involved, and it’s refreshing to live in a place where community is so highly valued. I became a nurse because caring for my grandmother for many years showed me how deeply fulfilling it is to care for others. I have had the incredible opportunity to be part of the OHSU Street Nursing Team here at the Ashland campus. Caring for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness has been an amazing experience, and I’m truly grateful for the chance to be involved in something so meaningful.”
— Mackenna Park, Class of 2025
OHSU School of Nursing — Ashland
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