After her experience acting as a secondary caregiver for family, Madeline Metzger knew nursing was her calling.

Though the nursing graduate originally wanted to go out of state for school and had UCCS in the back of her mind, it ended up being a great fit.

“I thought I would leave, but I got hooked on campus culture and fell in love with nursing,” said Madeline. “After acting as a caregiver, it felt like a normal part of life as I grew up.”

Along with her heavy involvement in campus life, Madeline pursued several activities and opportunities in healthcare and nursing to immerse herself in the field. She holds several certifications in mental and physical health measures, acted as a student ambassador for Beth-El and as a resource manager for the Student Government Association, earned clinical hours as an advanced care partner at UCHealth, is a Chancellor’s Leadership Class (CLC) scholar, was nominated for, and won, several awards and spoke at last year’s commencement as representative of Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), though this still doesn’t cover the breadth of her pursuits.

“I’m very grateful, especially for the experience I had at UCCS – it was personalized but so full, and I know my education has rounded me as a person,” said Madeline. “I feel like I got the most out of my experience at UCCS and I’m just very grateful for it.”

Madeline will be speaking once again at commencement this year, but this time as one of the Student Achievement Awardees.

“Receiving the award was a surprise and a validation of the work I’ve been doing,” she said. “I’d wonder if what I was doing was enough, and if my passion was where it was supposed to be. It feels good to know my work means something and that I’m supported by my community.”

Madeline’s now preparing to find her new identity and what waits for her post graduation.

“It doesn’t feel real,” said Madeline. “I almost don’t feel ready when I realize it’s the end of a story and that I’m transitioning from the student perspective to alumni and graduate.”

Soon, Madeline will be on the other side of that transition, taking her National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and working as a nurse while continuing to pursue her research in suicide prevention.

“I was accepted into the Sigma Nursing Ethics Conference in Finland, and some of my research is getting published this summer,” she shared. “I’m also hoping to present at the International Organization for Suicide Prevention in Austria.”

Looking further down the road, Madeline’s goals include continuing to develop her skills and research, along with getting experience in various aspects of nursing, like the ICU and critical care side of medicine and working with cardiology and neurology patients.

When not researching or participating in her many extracurriculars, Madeline prioritizes keeping herself and her schedule balanced, taking care to ensure she can avoid burnout.

“I establish good boundaries and I fill my own cup – nurse burnout and empathy fatigue are real and I make an effort to keep a balanced system by doing things I really love, like dance, reading and working out and maintaining my health,” said Madeline.

Madeline also shared the advice she gives to her mentees from what she’s learned during her college career.

“Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself,” she urged. “No doesn’t always mean no, especially when it comes to opportunities. If you want something, go for it.”