Laura Mazur ’17 & Grace Lavoie ‘17

Laura Mazur ’17
Wilbraham, MA
Baystate Medical Center

As a nurse, I want to give the best possible care that I can to patients--it’s my job to save lives.

Completing my BSN will help to ensure that I can do just that, and will open doors for me as hospitals nationwide strive to employ 80% or more nurses with BSNs by the year 2020. 

I used to think of myself as an in-class learner, but I don’t have the time to spend in a classroom at this point in my career. The online program through The American Women’s College fits well into my life. I’m a floor nurse and work the midnight shift, so I just stay up after work and tackle the assignments. I have two study partners—Grace Lavoie and Jen Ghareeb. We reach out to each other with questions or engage in friendly competition to motivate each other to stay on track.

The nursing assessment course has taught me to be more detailed with my assessments, even though I’ve been in the profession for a number of years. And studying global diversity has taught me to understand that individuals come from different backgrounds and perspectives, so it’s important for me to ask the right questions to get a clear picture of a person’s life. Then, I can focus my care on what’s important to them.

I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my knowledge and expertise as I work towards graduating with my BSN. The program has made me a better communicator, writer, researcher, and above all, provider, and I am excited to position myself as a leader in the field.

Grace Lavoie ‘17
Belchertown, MA
OB/GYN unit at Baystate Medical Center

I consider myself very fortunate to have an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life every day that I go to work. 

I have always wanted to be a nurse and I enjoy being involved with nearly all aspects of a patient’s care. I met Laura Mazur when we were in nursing school together at STCC where we earned our associate degrees. We often studied together and have since grown together professionally over the years. We have both chosen to advance our careers by earning our BSNs at Bay Path’s American Women’s College. Going back to school allows me to keep learning and growing as a nurse. Nurses are critical decision makers, and going back to school has helped to refine my critical thinking skills. 

Laura and I began our nursing careers on the cardiac unit at Baystate Medical Center. Laura continues to work in telemetry unit while I have moved on to postpartum nursing. Baystate is very supportive in continuing education, and I appreciate being able to earn my degree in a way that allows me to work around my own schedule. The American Women’s College’s BSN program has made me feel more confident with each class I take, and has definitely strengthened my writing and communication skills. Learning from home has helped to improve my time management skills. I work during the day, and the online program is awesome for that—after work, I check in to class and start on my coursework. Having someone to study with is a great motivator.

I love being a nurse. It’s truly my calling. I enjoy interacting with each and every patient. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I plan on staying at Baystate. There are endless opportunities for growth and development, and I can say with confidence that I will feel better prepared for whatever may next come my way.