Finding Her Place in the Pre-Nursing Program

“You’re telling me I don’t have to wait, and I can learn all this in high school? I love this program, and it’s just a fun experience being at Francis Tuttle.”

Coming from a small school, Bailee Steinke has enjoyed connecting with students from other local districts in Francis Tuttle’s Pre-Nursing program. Although it’s larger than Cashion High School, where Bailee is a senior, she has found staff members still recognize and care about her. 

“Francis Tuttle is a big school, but they know who you are here,” Bailee said. “They always ask me how I am and about my day. It’s a very warm environment, and the teachers are always nice. You learn so many new things, not just in class but also from your friends and surroundings.” 

Next year, Bailee plans to return Francis Tuttle and complete the Practical Nursing program. She aims to work in a hospital, and her future goals are to become a labor and delivery nurse and eventually a traveling nurse. 

Bailee originally began in a different program at Francis Tuttle but switched to Pre-Nursing because she wanted to help people. She was also already familiar with the program since her older sister completed it too.

One aspect of the program Bailee enjoys is the hands-on learning opportunities, like doing dissections, testing nursing skills by completing checkoffs and touring the respiratory program, where she got to try intubation on a mannequin. She also appreciates the way she’s been introduced to those already in the workforce. 

“Being at Francis Tuttle, I have had so many opportunities to hear from guest speakers and attend job fairs where we talked to people from different hospitals,” Bailee shared. “It’s very helpful being able to connect with them.”