Storm Peterson, a Breakthrough New York student, will be attending St. John’s University and majoring in Nursing. Storm shared some of their reasons for choosing St. John’s University and passion for Nursing. 
Thinking forward about the new opportunities they’ll have at St. John’s, Storm expressed excitement about the availability of minors and extracurricular activities. Storm mentioned considering Spanish as a minor due to its relevance in nursing, “I’ve always considered doing Spanish as a foreign language as a minor, because Spanish is like a very important official language for nursing.” Additionally, Storm intends to study abroad, citing St. John’s international campuses as exciting prospects for cultural immersion, “they have three international campuses, one in Limerick, Rome, and one in Paris. That’s exciting for me to travel.”
Volunteerism and internships also piqued their interest, with plans to engage in community service and pursue hospital internships during their academic journey. They explained that part of the reason they chose St. John’s University was the emphasis on community engagement and its dedicated programs for student volunteering.
Reflecting on their decision to pursue nursing, they cited personal experiences and a commitment to making healthcare more inclusive and equitable. Storm explained, “I think there are a lot of factors for me as an individual. Just one of them being, I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about women and queer people in medicine, and just not being treated right.” This paired with their father’s history as a nurse and a desire for career versatility further fueled their passion for the field.
Breakthrough will continue supporting Storm as they embark on this new chapter at St. John’s University. Storm’s dedication to social impact and healthcare are indicative of the kind of nurses we need to make healthcare more equitable. With their blend of compassion and determination, they are poised to make meaningful contributions to the field and advocate for positive change in healthcare practices.
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