Award Winning Athlete and Nursing Student: Katie Shannon's Recipe for Success


Date released: 20 May 2009

CONTACT: Dory Hulse, Director of Communication

University of Virginia School of Nursing

Phone: (434) 924-0085

Email: doryhulse@virginia.edu

Katie Shannon photo

 

Award Winning Athlete and Nursing Student

Katie Shannon’s recipe for success

Written by Communications Intern Hannah Walker

Being a Division I student-athlete is challenging enough, but when you are also a student in one of the top nursing schools in the nation it can prove to be very challenging to find the successful recipe for a balanced athletic and academic career. Katie Shannon, a senior lacrosse player from Downingtown, Pennsylvania , has done just that.  Shannon, who is living on the Lawn this year, was recently honored with the 2009 Jettie Hill Memorial Award which is given to a senior, female student-athlete with the highest scholastic average through four years at the University of Virginia .

When asked what the most difficult part of being a student-athlete was, Shannon replied, “The most difficult part is making the sacrifice to give up other activities that non-athlete students are able to enjoy daily. Nursing and lacrosse are both huge time commitments and learning to juggle that schedule can be challenging.” Although she has been successful with facing those challenges, Shannon also learned some lessons along the way that cannot be taught in the classroom. As a nurse she will be part of a team, and being a member of the lacrosse team has taught her the importance of team work, dedication, and a positive attitude, along with the attributes that make a successful team.

Shannon knew, early on, that she wanted to pursue a career in the healthcare field. She said, “My senior year of high school I was in a program that allowed me to leave school and follow different medical professionals.” Shannon was also inspired by her mother.  “My mom is a nurse and I saw the joy and fulfillment that she received from the profession,” Shannon said, “so I went with nursing.” A year before she decided to become a nurse, she visited UVA.  She said, “It qualified as a medium-large state school with a nursing program and a Division I lacrosse team.  I fell in love with the University as soon as I stepped foot on our beautiful grounds.  In October of my senior year, I met with Theresa Carrol, in the nursing school, and coach Julie Myers.  I loved the welcoming feel that I received from both programs, so I decided to apply early decision.”  

As she reflected on her four years as a UVA nursing student, she had nothing but high praises. “What I love most about the University of Virginia School of Nursing is the support and guidance that I have received from the faculty and staff over the past four years. The nursing school has been behind me 100% in all of my athletic endeavors.  I have had the privilege of developing special relationships with the faculty which I hope last well into the future.  Along with being wonderful mentors and teachers, they have also become my friends. The faculty has earned my greatest respect and I will always cherish the education that I received from UVA School of Nursing.”

Shannon will commence her nursing career in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in August.

School of Nursing

The University of Virginia School of Nursing stands among the top 5% in the nation, ranked 19th by US News & World Report; two of its graduate programs are currently listed in the U.S. News Top Ten.  With a vigorous research program that includes studies in rural health care and disparities, oncology, gerontology, complementary therapies and nursing history, the School has implemented new programs and strategies to address the national nursing shortage and the concurrent need for more highly educated nurses to deliver increasingly complex health care. The newly opened Claude Moore Nursing Education Building and upcoming renovation of McLeod Hall allow for an enrollment increase and expansion of the Clinical Simulation Learning Center and the Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry.  Dean and Sadie Heath Cabaniss Professor of Nursing Dorrie Fontaine, RN, PhD, FAAN, is the former associate dean for academic programs at the University of California San Francisco and a past president of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the largest specialty nursing organization in the world.  For more information about the UVA School of Nursing and its programs, visit www.nursing.virginia.edu .