Friday, June 13, 2025
After making the most of her four years as a nursing student at Mount Saint Mary College, Lauren Fitzgerald, who graduated this May, is beginning her professional career.
Fitzgerald, a Levittown native, was recognized as a driven, hardworking student. During her college years, she consistently made the Dean’s List, was a member of the Student Nurses’ Association, and volunteered at numerous community blood drives hosted by the college.
Her passion for a fast-paced work environment has made becoming a cardiothoracic ICU nurse her ultimate goal.
“I really like critical care after my clinicals at Vassar [Brothers Medical Care],” Fitzgerald said in a news release. “I love the hands-on experience and the Mount instructors are phenomenal. You can apply your textbook knowledge to real situations. And the environment at Vassar is all about teamwork.”
Fitzgerald was one of 20 Mount nursing students invited to attend Northwell Health’s Golden Ticket Nursing Showcase, an invitation-only event that highlights top junior and senior nursing students from leading colleges and universities.
At the event, she had the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field. She heard from experienced nurses, met nurse leaders and team members, and explored how the profession is continuing to evolve.
As a high school graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fitzgerald said these real-world experiences were especially meaningful. She noted that returning to in-person classes was a significant adjustment.
“Going from online high school for the last year and a half to all in-person classes, and transitioning to college at the same time, that’s very hard as a freshman,” she said.
Fitzgerald credits much of her success, both in and out of the classroom, to the professors she had throughout college. She specifically praised Lynette DeBellis, associate professor of nursing and chair of the Mount’s School of Nursing, as one of the most formative figures in her academic journey.
DeBellis “really provided a lot of support and guidance throughout my journey,” Fitzgerald said, adding, “All of the Mount’s nursing professors made a profound impact on me.”
Fitzgerald acknowledged that the path to a nursing career is not easy, but said the challenges are what make the job rewarding.
“Nursing school has its ups and downs, but here at the Mount, we all do it together,” she said. “Everyone shows you support and guidance. It’s a tough journey, but it’s all worth it.”
Fitzgerald said it will be difficult to leave behind the community she built over the past four years.
“I’ll miss all my friends, and all the relationships and connections I’ve made here,” she said, “but I’m looking forward to the future.”
