#MeetUsMonday - Meet BSN student Summer Bui

Meet BSN student Summer Bui.

Painter, devoted meal-prepper, and cardio enthusiast who hails from Colonial Beach, Virginia—"not Virginia Beach,” she insists, but a cozy riverside town. Globe trotter who studied in London and will study in Italy this summer. Thrives on being busy—she works every Friday and Saturday as a server in a local restaurant—but still finds time to try new hobbies with friends, like wall climbing, yoga, and Pilates. Dog-mom to “Betty” and a second-year BSN student who is minoring in women, gender, and sexuality and dreams of one day working in women’s health.

WHY THE BSN PROGRAM AT UVA? 

“I initially chose UVA School of Nursing because it’s a direct-entry four-year program—meaning I did not have to re-apply after completing my prerequisites. I’m also here because of the financial aid and scholarships, as well as the study abroad opportunities. I’m taking advantage of study abroad—I’ve already been to London last year and will study in Italy this summer. There is a study-abroad semester opportunity for fourth-year nursing students in Australia, which I am hoping to participate in. There are endless opportunities here!”

“’What’s one good thing you accomplished today?’ That’s a question my current clinical instructor asked my group on our first clinical day. That stuck out to me because it distracted me from the challenging moments of the rotation. I now take this attitude beyond the clinical setting and use it in my everyday life. It is how I end my day on a positive note.”

—BSN student Summer Bui

WHAT’S SURPRISED HER

“Although only in my second year of the program, I have learned that adjusting to change takes time. I am constantly adjusting! I had to adjust when moving into my dorm, and living without my mom’s cooking. I adjusted by learning how to cook TikTok recipes. I did poorly on my first exam for a nursing class, and cried, but then realized the experience prepared me to do better on the next one." 

“Changes are what nursing school, and college in general, is about. The best thing I have learned is to adjust to expect the unexpected; the best could come out of it!”

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CHOOSE UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING?

“The learning opportunities here are endless. It goes beyond the course load; I’ll get more than a degree once I graduate. In under two years, I have created connections with my advisor, professors, and instructors. I am constantly learning from all directions." 

“’What’s one good thing you accomplished today?’ That’s a question my current clinical instructor asked my group on our first clinical day. That stuck out to me because it distracted me from the challenging moments of the rotation. I now take this attitude beyond the clinical setting and use it in my everyday life. It is how I end my day on a positive note.”

UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A WORD?

“COMMUNITY. I cannot express this enough. It was difficult adjusting in the first weeks, but I eventually found my routine and found my people. Some are inside the nursing program, and some are outside the program in other majors. I’ve got the support of a lot of upper-class friends who provide me with advice, my advisor and professors, who offer support, and my nursing and non-nursing friends who keep me motivated yet also distract me sometimes." 

“Choosing UVA School of Nursing is the best decision I have ever made. For the first time, I have found a community where I feel constant support.”