Discovering your Passion Early: The Journey of a Future ICU Nurse

Many unique experiences shape individuals to find their true calling in life. For Kristian Dadacay, his calling to become a registered nurse is influenced by many of his life experiences. Mr. Dadacay received his Bachelors of Arts in Neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was involved with research in a laboratory setting. After volunteering abroad at a clinic in Peru, he made the switch to pursue a career in health care in order to provide a more direct impact on patients.

Kristian participated in the Health Scholar program from 2017-2019. As a Health Scholar, Kristian learned and executed skills that become essential to his nursing school career. Kristian stated, “I developed an early understanding of heart rhythms, clinical techniques and pathophysiology before entering nursing school, which definitely helped me with my nursing courses.” His time as a Health Scholar also made him more comfortable working within a hospital environment.

Through his participation in the Health Scholar program, Kristian discovered that he is most passionate about the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). During his time in the program, he spent time in the ICU and gained extensive knowledge from the medical staff in the unit. He shared that “They [the medical staff] acknowledged the Health Scholars as an integral part of the health care team.” Kristian specifically recalls a moment in the ICU that was very impactful. During his shift, there was a patient in a coma. The nursing staff had asked him to check on the patient. Kristian however knew this is more than just checking in. Having the background in neuroscience, he knew coma patients are still aware of what is happening around them even in sleep. Kristian decided to stay with the patient and talk with him, describing what was outside the window, discussing the weather and other topics. Kristian provided a sense of humanity and compassion for the patient. Kristian mentions that care is more than just meeting the needs of the patients; it is ensuring patient concerns are heard and translated through the health care provider’s actions. He realized that listening to patients wholeheartedly, ensures quality patient care can be performed and that a career in health care requires helping others for the benefit of service which he will take with him in his future career.

Finally, Kristian joined the Health Scholar Leadership Team and became the Department Coordinator for the intensive and coronary care unit. As a leader, he learned skills that are vital to professional life such as communication and management of a team. Kristian mentored his peers while showing his passion for the ICU. His time on Leadership Team has further prepared him for future roles he would like to take on such as becoming a clinical professor or improving practice on clinical floors through transformational leadership. Kristian believes the unique culture of the ICU and having a leadership role in the ICU has resonated with him through not only the Health Scholars program, but through nursing school as well. Learning about his passion for helping intensive care patients prior to nursing school, helped Kristian stay focused and motivated as he already experienced the joy of working in the ICU during the Health Scholars Program.

Kristian is currently his final semester of nursing school for his Bachelors of Science in Nursing from California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI). He is an aspiring intensive care and cardiothoracic nurse. While earning his degree, he is also a part of the CSUCI Student Nurses’ Association, the CSUCI lead nursing tutor, a Care Partner for the Cardiothoracic ICU at UCLA Health and is the Director of Communication for the Mortar Board Honor Society at CSUCI.

Written by Program Manager, Jessica Faragallah, St. John’s Hospitals