Nine years after graduating from Noble Street College Prep, Jailin Morales still checks in with her advisors and teachers at Noble, who helped her get to where she is today. Now, she’s a nurse at Rush University Medical Center and consults at Northwestern University Hospital. She’s thriving in her career.
Jailin, or “Jai” as she likes to be called, is an alum from the class of 2016. She says her time at Noble Street was filled with rigorous courses, great opportunities, and supportive advisors and teachers. It was with the support of Noble Street and her family that she made her way to Ann Arbor, beginning her academic journey to become a nurse at the University of Michigan.
She sat down with us to chat about life and how it’s been going since she left Noble:
What inspired you to pursue nursing?
As a child, I dealt with being constantly in doctors’ appointments and testing that it really shaped my understanding of what real healthcare looked like. This inspired my career choices. I didn’t really know I’d go into nursing until my senior year of high school. I remember talking to the college team who helped me narrow down my options with possible career paths! I took various interest surveys and went to various schools to visit their campus. I knew helping others, like the care I received, is what I wanted to do.
What was the transition like from high school to studying nursing at the University of Michigan?
The transition was ROUGH. In high school, I studied, but nothing compared to Michigan. The coursework was denser and the topics definitely more tedious, so my first year was really me figuring out what my style of studying was. I tried study groups, quiet spaces, loud spaces, note-taking, and even talking to myself. It was definitely a learning curve when it came to how to study, and depending on the type of person you are and your major, everyone studied differently. I learned that what worked best for me was what I call “teaching back,” whether that be writing out how I would explain it to others, or if I was in a group, we would pick a topic or ask each other specific questions to see if we would answer or explain it correctly. Also, flashcards! I was able to test myself on key terms on my own and carry them everywhere.
Jai declared her nursing major during her sophomore year at University of Michigan.
Can you share a challenge you faced in college?
During college, I really battled with imposter syndrome, which I did not think would happen to me, but it did! I was top of my class at Noble, and then going to a Top Ten University with students at my academic level or above became very intimidating for me. I struggled in the beginning to think I belonged in such a prestigious program, let alone being one of the only two Latinas in my nursing cohort. The first year was probably the hardest for me, but I definitely overcame it with the support of family and finding my community at Michigan, which helped ease the feeling of imposter syndrome because we all went through it.
How did your experiences at Noble prepare you for success at the University of Michigan and beyond?
Noble prepared me for the University of Michigan academically and professionally. Academically, they gave me the tools to be able to apply myself to rigorous college coursework by exposing me to Advanced Placement classes. Also, being able to attend office hours in high school made it a smooth transition to be comfortable to do it in college! So, when I was struggling in a class, I would always immediately go to office hours or reach out to my professors. Professionally, the structure I had at Noble transferred over to my college life and professional career. I have fabulous time management, leadership skills, and critical thinking.
What role did mentors or advisors play in your academic or career success?
My mentors and advisors really played a role in my academic and career success because I felt so supported! Even post-Noble and college, when I do see them at events, I love to keep them updated on my life and my goals, and it’s just so nice to still have that even after graduating high school so long ago. I also know I can text any one of them in a second and they will be there for me.
Jai at the start of her senior year at Noble Street College Prep.
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey as a nurse so far?
Ironically, starting my career in the pandemic has been the most rewarding part. It was very hard to come into the profession at such an uncertain time. In the midst of chaos, I learned, I grew, and became a really good nurse. Lots of people call my graduating class the “COVID nurses” because I don’t know what healthcare was like before it, and it made me learn quickly and under pressure.
A really good lesson I learned as a nurse is from a patient that I hold close to my heart. He was in our unit for a whole year. Everyone really got to know him because he was always “cycled” between nurses; sometimes he could be a bit particular. I will never forget the first day I had him as a patient. He was already in the hospital for four months and had a strict routine. I walked in with his morning medication, and he immediately got upset because I did not know he liked to brush his teeth first before his morning medications. I remember feeling irritated because, in my head, I had done nothing wrong and just wanted to finish my morning tasks, but, to him, I had put a wrench in his whole day. I apologized and asked him about what he likes in his routine, and we made a plan for the day. By the end of the shift, he enjoyed having me as his nurse. I even had the honor of discharging him from the hospital when he was finally able to go home. I even saw him when he was readmitted and when he took his final breath.
That patient taught me that sometimes we’re just so focused on the tasks in our lives that we need to stop and listen. Listen to each other, listen to ourselves, and slow down. Because you never know how people are feeling or what they’re going through if you’re on autopilot, trying to just get things done. Listening is one of the best forms of medicine.
Jai all geared up and ready to work at the doctor's office.
What goals do you still have for yourself in nursing or in life beyond your career?
Currently, I’m going on year five as a nurse (so crazy, I know!). I’ve jumped around a little in my career to find what I’m really into. I love surgery, both in and out of the operating room, so I am hopeful in the coming years to pursue my doctoral degree in nursing to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Nursing is such a flexible career, which is why I enjoy it so much! I love how I do not have to stay in one specialty or stick to one job description. I have done post-surgical bedside nursing, operating room with a speciality in plastic surgery, post-anesthesia care, and preoperative care. The best part about all of those specialties is that I have learned so much and have gotten new skills along the way. That’s the beauty of nursing: there’s always something new or something to learn and grow in!
What advice would you give current students who are considering careers in healthcare or planning for college?
Advice I would give students considering healthcare careers is, as cliché as it sounds, never go into it for just the money. Financial stability is a plus, but having the compassion and drive to provide excellent care is more rewarding than money can ever replace. I also encourage students thinking about healthcare careers to see if they can do shadowing experiences or find opportunities that expose them to real-life scenarios. It helps really determine if it’s a good fit for you! For students planning for college, I really recommend looking at the whole picture. What is it that YOU want? Never feel pressured by peers or family to go and do anything you don’t want to do.
