Psychology Degree and Experiences of Grief Steer Student to Nursing
Familial loss and a college major in psychology propelled ABSN student Ivan Kobialka to pursue nursing.
Finding Motivation Amidst Familial Loss
After graduating college, Ivan Kobialka decided to apply to nursing school for two main reasons. The first was the grief that came with losing his grandfather in 2016 and his father in 2021.
“I was a child when my grandfather fell and had a massive gash in his skull. I was the only one home, and I immediately jumped into action,” said Kobialka. “He was given an estimated 6 months to live and was put on hospice care. However, with the help of incredible nurses, he was able to live for two more years before passing away peacefully.”
“My father also had a history of falls, and the last time he fell, he was admitted and had further complications. His esophagus had collapsed, and he declined to have a feeding tube put in his body, so an initial fall led to an unexpected death,” Kobialka continued. “These experiences reinforced my desire to become a nurse and genuinely provide phenomenal patient advocacy and care.”
Witnessing the difference that patient care and health interventions could make, Kobialka found motivation alongside his grief.
Translating Psychology Interest into Nursing Passion
The second driving reason behind Kobialka’s pursuit of nursing was his background in psychology. While he initially wanted to become a clinical psychologist, he decided to pursue his fascination with the brain in a different direction.
“I found nursing as the perfect solution to work with patients who are dealing with mental health crises while also always being on my feet and working with multiple people at once,” said Kobialka.
Kobialka says that he chose Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) because of its culture, including its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion and on men in nursing. He is currently involved with a number of student organizations: Duke Emergency Nursing Students (DENS), DUSON Pride, Nursing Students without Borders, and Duke’s chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing, a national organization that has recognized DUSON as the best nursing school for men for ten consecutive years.
“I have never felt more supported at an institution, especially in a field where I am a minority,” said Kobialka. “So many institutions should model their curriculum and culture after DUSON because it has truly been an incredible experience being a part of this community.”
After graduating, Kobialka plans to work in an ICU setting to hone his skills in high-stress units. Eventually, he hopes to return to school, practice, and become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
“Still, I love so many different aspects of nursing, so my career trajectory could change at any moment,” said Kobialka.