December graduate shares her nursing journey

Abby Warnick’s journey through the West Virginia University School of Nursing has uniquely prepared her for a career caring for others.

Warnick knew from a young age that she wanted to help others and make a difference. When her beloved great-uncle suffered a stroke, she spent significant time with him in the hospital, playing an important role in his recovery.

“I spent a lot of time at the bedside, and I was able to care for him and create a system to encourage him to eat,” Warnick said. “It was in that moment that I admired the care I saw the nurses provide him, and I decided that nursing would be the career for me to help care for others in the future.”

Warnick, a native of Kingwood, felt WVU’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was a great fit when deciding where to earn a degree. She says she was looking for a school that would prepare her to provide compassionate care for patients.

“The WVU School of Nursing also is widely known for producing top-notch nurses, and I wanted to enter into a career feeling as prepared as you possibly can be,” she said. “The School of Nursing had a 99% NCLEX pass rate when I applied to the program. I felt that this was evidence to show the level of preparation that is achieved here at WVU.”

Nearing the end of her undergraduate education, Warnick’s journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma with just a few weeks left in the Spring 2023 semester.

“I was so worried that I would have to stop the nursing program or restart the semester,” she said. “The faculty came to visit me in the hospital and were amazing during this whole journey. They worked with me through the summer to ensure I was able to finish my last semester on time. I could not have asked for a more caring and supportive school. They will always hold a special place in my heart and feel like another home to me.”

Following graduation, Warnick hopes to work in oncology to help patients going through similar situations.

“Oncology was my interest through school, but after having my own journey with cancer, I feel more drawn to working with that population,” she said. “I know everyone’s journey will be different than mine, but I feel that I have a unique perspective into the struggles that many face, so I could make a difference.”

Reflecting on her college experience, Warnick believes the advice she received early in life is still what she would tell her freshman self.

“My mom always told me about the importance of getting an education and working hard,” Warnick said. “She emphasized that your education is something that can never be taken from you. I am so thankful for this advice, and I feel that my hard work and dedication through nursing school has solidified a good foundation to enter the nursing profession post-graduation.”

Meet additional December graduates, including Grace Aiello, Rylee Barkey, Maggie Jamerson, Liam Kick and Amber Mate.