Zips' Trio Set to Rise to the Challenge of Nursing Profession

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AKRON, Ohio - The front lines of the battle with the COVID-19 virus have been fought by the valiant men and women across Akron, the state, country and world, who have so selflessly given of themselves for the greater good, and for a trio of University of Akron student-athletes that journey is just beginning.

Seniors Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Dylan Hochbein (Sarver, Pa.), and Abigale Wilson (Carrollton, Ohio) of the Zips' women's soccer, men's track and field and women's track and field teams, respectively, are all nursing students set to graduate from the University of Akron with degrees in nursing this spring and begin their journey of helping people with what they have learned as students.

Whether the road that led them to nursing began as a child or the personal opportunity to help family and friends through crisis, each has embraced what they do.

"I always knew I wanted to be a nurse," said Wilson. "I like a challenge and nursing is definitely that. It is a profession that lets you make a huge impact on people's lives with something as small as a smile on some days and as big as a lifesaving decision on others."

For Amato it began in high school when her mother Beth got into an accident, and she was able to help aid in her recovery.

"When I was in high school, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do until my mom got into an accident, and I was her right-hand girl," explained Amato. "I did everything she needed and took care of her without it bothering me. I realized then that I was good at taking care of people and really enjoyed that feeling of making her feel better."

Hochbein's calling as a nurse came in his junior year at Freeport Area High School in Sarver, Pa., because of his desire to have a positive impact on people's lives.

"I truly want to help people," said Hochbein. "I want to be the person people look to for help and comfort and I hope after a day's work that I can go home myself knowing I had a positive impact on people's lives. Meeting new patients lets me understand how fortunate I am for this life and it really helps me to appreciate what life has to offer."

Balancing a demanding major such as nursing along with the daily activities of being an Akron student-athlete has been a rewarding challenge for each of these Zips.

"Finding a balance between my studies and being an athlete was tough," explained Wilson. "With nursing I always thought that it's more than just information you needed to pass the exam. The knowledge we learn in school is potentially what saves someone's life one day, so we better know it."

"The balance between nursing and soccer was very difficult especially in my freshman and sophomore years when I was just getting used to college and had almost 20 credits a semester," said Amato. "It has been a lot of time management and organization that I have had to learn to be more successful."

"I always made it a point to put my studies first and my coaches and teammates were very supportive of that decision," stated Hochbein. "I would bring my laptop and textbooks with me on the bus, vans and airplanes to get as much schoolwork in as possible."

With everything going on in the world as it relates to COVID-19 and the roles of healthcare professionals, including nurses, there is motivation and challenges about being a valuable member on the frontlines of defense against this virus that resonates in these Zips.

"I want to take care of people no matter the situation," said Amato. "If it weren't for the people on the frontline, this would be so much more out of control, but everyone is putting their best effort forward to make even the smallest difference. It's an honor to know that you're saving lives."

"What excites me is that I am able to lend my helping hand to combat this virus," explained Hochbein. "I'm able to help people and hopefully see them beat this sickness and eventually discharge them. The thing that challenges me is the scare of obtaining the virus myself. This is an obvious worry for any health care worker for they have the chance to spread the sickness to other individuals, even their loved ones."

"I think with the craziness of the virus you can see how selfless the healthcare workers are all being," stated Wilson. "That includes more than just the nurses and doctors, it's the nurse aides, respiratory therapist, environmental services, security, dietary, pharmacy, and therapist (PT, OT, Speech, etc.). This is something that is affecting us all and the fact that in a few months when I graduate that I can help make a difference is what I look forward to."

Each of the Zips credit the nursing program at the University of Akron for teaching lifelong lessons and knowledge that they will be able to carry over into their futures in the profession.

"I think the University of Akron's program is one of the best," said Wilson. "Although our classes move along rather quickly, we get to see many specialties within our time such as obstetrics, older adult, pediatrics, critical care and so on. This gives us the preparation to not only know what we want to do when we are done, but have experience in so many fields, so if need be, we could be anywhere."

"I have learned many things from the nursing program here at Akron, including teamwork outside of sports from clinical sites and LRC's and what it means to be a good teammate outside of a sport," explained Amato. "It means something else to be a leader in your profession and help the others around you. People don't care how good you were at a sport if you can't be caring and empathetic towards them. You have to put yourself aside and focus on the patient and your coworkers. I have also learned that everyone is equal, and everyone wants each other to succeed because in the end all that matters are the patient and their health."

"There are many valuable lessons that I have learned here at the University of Akron that I will be able to lean on," Hochbein commented. "One of the major lessons is safety. I was so fortunate to have amazing instructors by my side for the whole ride in case I needed a helping hand. In the occupation of nursing, our best interest is always in our patient and in doing so, we have to put safety as a top priority.  As a nurse, you can never know everything, and it is ok to ask questions.  If we do not know something, there are so many intelligent healthcare workers in the hospital that would be more than happy to answer any questions one might have."

Hochbein went on to explain that what can define you as a nurse is not making mistakes, but how you respond to them and learn lessons as a result.

"Another lesson that this program taught me is mistakes are going to happen. It is not the mistake that will define us, it is the way we respond to that mistake. It is imperative for healthcare workers to learn from their mistakes so they will never let it happen again. This will ultimately make you a better nurse and increase the safety of your patient."

Following graduation and passing the NCLEX, Wilson will be working Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, in the Cardio-Thoracic ICU.

"I went into nursing because I love kids and want to give every kid the opportunity to live a full and happy life," said Wilson. "Along with getting the kiddos healthy, the families also need guidance, and the nurse can make a huge difference in comforting the family."

Amato plans to specialize in obstetrics and continue on to become a midwife in the future.

Hochbein has accepted a job on the CMCU (Complex Medical Care Unit) at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., one he will begin in the near future.

His ultimate goal is to end up on the CVICU (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit). After working there for a few years, he plans to further his education to receive his nurse practitioner license (NP) and work on the ICU.

As their time as student-athletes at Akron has come to an end, the three Zips are reflective on what it has meant to be a Zip in these times.

"I am proud to be a Zip especially during these times," said Wilson. "I think the biggest thing that relates nursing to track is that although you are by yourself with your patient or event, you ultimately have a team behind you supporting and rooting for you."

"In these times, I am proud to be a Zip, and I am proud of my fellow Zips and friends that I know are out there in the hospitals and healthcare systems risking their own health," explained Amato. "It is nice to know that we have such a supporting community and are surrounded with great mentalities. We all are Zips, student-athletes or not, and we can't thank everyone enough."

"During these challenging times, being a Zip means to be dedicated and passionate for what you do," stated Hochbein. "When you do something, do it at the best of your ability and don't settle for anything else. Be persistent while being kind, compassionate and caring."

The Zips' trio had some final messages to those healthcare workers working every day to keep us safe.

"I want to give a special shout out to all the current health care workers that are risking their lives and time with their families to help against this virus," said Wilson. "My mom (Stacie) is an ICU nurse and has been working so hard to ensure patients and nurses are getting what they need during this time. It has been inspiring to see how hard she has been working and the sacrifices she has made to help her patients."

"I hope everyone stays safe and takes care of themselves," stated Amato. "If there is one positive you can take from this virus, it is a time to self-reflect and enjoy your time with your loved ones."

"I want to thank the entire nursing faculty for making me the person I am today," said Hochbein. "I also couldn't be where I am without the thanks to the track and field team. I have met so many great individuals that I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life. This track and field team means more than a team, they are a family and I cannot thank them enough for that.  I love every one of them and as always, GO ZIPS."

The University of Akron Athletics

Zips' Trio Set to Rise to the Challenge of Nursing Profession

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Ashley Amato

Dylan Hochbein

Abigale Wilson

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