Nursing Student Excited to Help First Patient After Earning Degree

Liz Boord of Kingmont has no trouble recalling the first moment she decided to apply to Fairmont State University. It was the day she watched her sister, Laura Lombardi, give birth to a son, Joseph. It was Aug. 1, 2009. “The nurses were so cool. When they let me help, that was my ‘wow’ moment,” she said. By August 2010, the wife and mother was taking anatomy and microbiology classes as an FSU undergraduate student pursuing her own Associate of Science degree in Nursing. 

 Boord’s son was a toddler and her daughter was in junior high school when she applied to college. While her own experiences of childbirth were unforgettable, witnessing a delivery from another perspective motivated the East Fairmont High School graduate to seek a new career path. 

 In a letter written for her nephew’s baby book, Boord explained: “At only a few moments old, you touched me in such a way as to change my entire world. You inspired me to take a leap of faith and get on with my life. I am sure I am just the first of many people you will inspire in your life.”

 FSU’s Associate of Science degree in Nursing program prepares graduates to be technical nurses to care for clients with common health problems in structured settings. Clinical and lab experience is incorporated into the coursework.

 “Nursing provides an individual with many opportunities including the intrinsic rewards of knowing that you make a positive difference in the lives of your patients every day you work by providing quality care and service to those who are in great need,” says Dr. Sharon Boni, Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health Administration.

Boord, 38, expected it might be difficult to adjust to campus life. She said her fears were alleviated as she discovered she was not alone. In fact, the average age of FSU’s students is 25. 

 It also helped that the full-time student, wife and mother was surrounded by counselors who advised her to take core courses and to not give up on her goal. “Every trick you learn that first year makes the rest of the years easier.  Even after that first semester, I discovered anyone can do this. There’s no reason to be afraid of change,” she remembers.

 A family adjustment helped to allow Boord to achieve her goals. Boord’s husband, Marvin, is an electrician for Mylan Pharmaceuticals. He changed his work schedule from the midnight shift to afternoon shift to make sure Boord can attend morning lab classes, which begin before son Ian’s daycare opens and before daughter Maria’s school starts. 

Through her own dedication and her family’s sacrifice, Boord anticipates her dreams soon will become reality. She expects to graduate from the School of Nursing and Allied Health Administration in the spring of 2013. “I’ll be able to help my first patient and get my first job I’m passionate about,” she said. 

What does “be First” mean to you? To share your “be First” story, send an e-mail to befirst@fairmontstate.edu.

NursingSchool of Nursing and Allied Health AdministrationLiz Boordbe FirstSharon Boni