Name: Anthony Dushku
Major: Nursing
Year: Second-Degree/Graduate Student
Hometown: Stamford, CT
Claim to Fame: RA, ACES Student Worker, my loud voice and laugh
Did you always know you wanted to be a nurse?
No, not always – I originally came to UConn as a die-hard Pre-Pharmacy major, and later decided Nursing was a much stronger career that met my personal goals and desires. So, I switched into Allied Health, graduated in May 2012, and came back in January to do a Second-Degree/Grad program in Nursing.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a nursing major?
The most rewarding aspect of my major is the ability to meet such a variety of people, whether patients, families, other medical professionals, or my fellow classmates. I get to learn life experience from them all, as well as become extremely observant. Nursing is one of those careers where you really never know who exactly your patient is unless you ask and get to know them — something I love to do!
What is the hardest thing about being a nursing major?
This would have to be the class work load; there are days where I feel stretched to my limits with the amount of in & out of class work there is to do, especially with clinical hours and being an RA. Also, the early morning clinicals – I’m best in the evening, so waking up before sunrise is not my forte.
What type of nursing are you looking to go into?
I’m hoping to work as an Emergency Room nurse; I love the excitement and the unknowing of the ER as well as being able to care for all types of patients. I’m pretty direct and blunt in my way of care, and in the ER it’s a strong skill to get straight to the main issue and fix what’s wrong.
Who are some of your role models and why?
My biggest role model is my grandmother; she has overcome enormous adversities in her life and still manages to stay positive, loving and a gravity point for the family. She also loves unconditionally and chooses who she loves wisely over time, which is something I admire. She’s taught me a lot about who I am and helped shaped my own character, values and morals.
I also have a lot of respect for activist-type people; my friends that get involved about all types of issues really inspire and motivate me to become a better person and to work for the changes I want in the world and most importantly to be proactive and assertive!
When did you become an RA and why?
I became an RA my junior year – I was in Northwest (Hanks 3rd) and now I’m in Busby. I chose to become an RA mainly because I felt I wasn’t involved enough on campus and I had gained so much knowledge about UConn in my first years as an undergrad that I felt it was the best way to share it and make connections. I also love meeting new people and, if I haven’t said it enough, I love helping people and being that resource and advocate. I get to support my residents in any and all ways, and that makes me feel like I’m a pertinent part of the Husky community. Being an RA is very similar to being a nurse except there’s very little medicine involved. I love being an RA; my residents have been (and still are!) superb and I had an amazing staff. Being an RA allowed me to make lifelong friends both with other RAs and with my residents. Mega shout-out to my current Busby 2nd floor and Joyce for being the best RA buddy ever!
What specific events have you held for your residents?
One favorite among my residents is a Palm Reading program that I usually hold annually around Halloween. I won’t get into specifics, but I teach my residents how to read their own palms (as best I can) and some other cool stuff that I have up my sleeve. Those that know me very well know I love and know that metaphysical realm well, so I like to share it with those who are curious (and even the skeptics!).
How do you balance your time between such a demanding major and your RA responsibilities?
I would be lying if I didn’t say sleep gets sacrificed…even though I really hate to do that. But prioritizing is the best thing I can do. I have a procrastination bone (or many) in my body, so I have to make checklists of tasks for the day, week, month and semester. I try to keep on the lists and have as little as possible roll over onto the next day. Setting goals that are specific and realistic is also something that I use to delegate my time wisely and create that harmony in my schedule and workload. When all else fails, I’ll pull all-nighters and hope for the best! I’ve been known to do 2-3 days with extremely little sleep, but I do not advise it! Planning is key!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
If all goes accordingly, I’d love to either be a nurse manager or have my doctorate in nursing, with a focus on Psychiatry & Mental Health. I’m a therapist at heart, and I love to meet people, listen to their problems, and collaborate with them to get them to their goals; so I know Psych is where I’ll end up. I’d really like to live in Europe, but California will be a fall-back; I grew up with a New York frame of mind, but I need to be somewhere that’s warm year round!
How do you stay so positive all the time, what is the trick?
Firstly, I’m ecstatic to hear others consider me positive! This may sound “dumb”, but I always think about how things could be worse than they are now, and that usually will de-stress me. It’s easy to get caught up in the little things, but I always try to think about the big picture and imagine myself in that “10 years from now” frame, and I just truck on through the rest! I also tend to focus on other people when I’m feeling negative; the altruism is helpful to vaporize that negativity when you’re almost forcing yourself to be positive for someone else. I like to think of it as “paying it forward”; if for anything else, being there as a support is a great attribute to cultivate in oneself. Humor’s a big one too; I make sure to surround myself and keep open lines with those that make me laugh and try to be funny to others as well. Laughter and positivity go hand-in-hand!
What is your secret weapon to success? (ex. Coffee, movie nights, finding time to relax with friends…)
#1 would have to be my family and friends: I have such a strong support group that is always cheering me on and right by my side. I can turn to them for anything and for whenever. Surrounding myself with those that care and celebrate my strengths keeps me pushing! #2 would have to be my confidence: I know my strengths and capabilities, and I play those to the best tune I can. #3 would be that I always say to myself and others: do what you can to go to bed and wake up with a smile on your face, while putting one on at least one other person’s, and not putting a frown on anyone’s – and focus on it in that order (aka only a happy person can truly make someone else happy!). That’s what I consider a success!