Graduate Student Awards Profile: Megan Wall
April 25, 2023
Hometown: Sanford, MI
Program: Nursing
Dream Job: Neuro ICU Nurse/Nursing Instructor
Recognition: Robert & Joyce Hetzler Family Award
Megan Wall graduated from Delta College in December 2022 with an associate degree
in nursing. In February, she passed her National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
and is working as a nurse. This fall, Megan will attend Ferris State University to
pursue both her Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing
Education and Administration.
She expressed that she “wouldn’t be the nurse I am today without” her professors and
envisions becoming a nursing instructor one day. She expressed her goal of being an
example for future students venturing into the healthcare profession just as her nursing
instructors were for her in the program.
Outside of the classroom, Megan volunteers with several organizations in the community
including Midland’s Open Door, Delta’s A Chocolate Affair, and the Shelter House/Shelter
House Resale Shop.
Q: What was your reaction when you won the Hetzler award?
Wall: I was very shocked. I was a little surprised but very thankful. At first, I was a
little hesitant and didn't know how it would go. I had a bit of self-doubt. But I
was like, "When I do the interview, I'm just going to be myself and to answer the
questions to the best of my ability and see where it goes."
Q: What did you admire about your professors?
Wall: I had wonderful professors my entire time at Delta. I thought they were all so knowledgeable
and amazing, especially Aron Drake, who taught anatomy and physiology. Just how passionate
they were about nursing, teaching, and wanting us all to be successful. And I love
teaching my patients. It's my favorite part about my day being able to explain what
we're doing, why we're doing it, and what the outcome might be.
Q: How has your time at Delta prepared you to pursue your career?
Wall: I went to Meridian Early College High School, and we did dual enrollment at Delta.
In my senior year, I started taking the Delta nursing program prerequisites and earned
my certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification. It was the first step I took with
health care because I wanted to see if I could take care of people, if I would enjoy
it, and if I was any good at it. I fell in love with it. I applied to the nursing
program and got into that a year later.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you conquered in the program?
Wall: My biggest fear in the nursing program was knowing I had to take specialty nursing
classes. I don't want to say that I'm afraid of kids, but I was hesitant about caring
for babies and children because everyone in my family was my age or older. I was terrified
to start the maternity and pediatrics classes because I didn't know what to do and
what to expect. I had Amber Sleight as my clinical instructor during maternity, and
she let me take it slow, she said, “I'll go in there with you. I'll help you get comfortable
taking care of mom and baby.”
Q: When you imagine your career years from now, what does that look like?
Wall: I'm hoping 10 years from now, I will have my MSN. I’d love to teach at Delta as a
preceptor or clinical instructor. Once I get some experience, that would be a good
first step to start teaching students how to work on their nursing skills and be out
in clinicals doing their best.
By Ashley Terrell, Writer