Aiste Barkauskaite started out at College of DuPage before pursuing a bachelor of nursing degree at UIC. Many who know her would be surprised that she would be going into nursing since she has always been very artistic and talented at photography. She said that she wanted to pursue something more. She took a strong interest in science and healthcare. She decided she wanted to have a career in healthcare, but didn’t have experience. She took science courses such as, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Anatomy.
Aiste also took a CNA class, which helps train you in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. After taking the class, she passed the state exam. She says the classes helped her to prepare for the UIC Nursing degree. In her CNA class, she did clinical work at Hinsdale Hospital. While going to UIC, she will be working as a phlebotomist at Hinsdale Hospital. The UIC program gives her a chance to work in different hospitals as well as in different areas.
She explains that there is a portrayed image of what a nurse is. “Most think the nurse just stands around and waits to help you feel better. People don’t realize that being a nurse is actually quite challenging. Nursing has to do with dealing with scientific data and helping people. As a nurse you are on your feet for 8 to 12 hours. Doctors have more prestige than a nurse. However, there is a lot more to nursing than what people may think. They’re two completely different jobs. Healthcare is one of the most important in our society.”
In the future she would like to get her Masters Degree in nursing in a specialized area. “I think education is important to become a better nurse.” She says there are many types of Masters Degrees, for example you could get a Masters in Family Nurse Pracitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Midwifery, Psychiatric and Mental disorders, and many others. She is still feeling her way, deciding what she may want to specialize in. She is very passionate about her education. She explains the more education you have the better you become in your field of work.