Turning wildest dreams into a reality
Sometimes it takes a while before you find your place in the world. When Laurentia Bivol began her undergraduate career at IU Northwest, she thought psychology was the field for her. But after graduating and working in healthcare for a period of time, she soon learned something new about herself.
Her true passion was nursing. She said she always admired nurses, especially since her mother was a nurse who “goes the extra mile.”
“After completing my first degree, I was not sure of what I wanted to do,” Bivol said. “After working in healthcare, I realized nursing was my dream.” In May, she’ll graduate from IU Northwest (again) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Bivol and her family are no strangers to dreaming. She spent her younger years in Moldova in Eastern Europe. Then, in 2005, she and her family won U.S. green cards.
“We were given the opportunity to pursue the American Dream,” she said in a piece entitled “Growing Up in Moldova.” “We did not know the language or have family here. Leaving my family and the country I grew up in was difficult for me, but I knew that this new opportunity would be a blessing.”
After arriving in the U.S., Bivol got involved with her middle school science program. She participated in the Science Olympiad, an event held annually at the IU Northwest campus. She said that this program made the campus one of her top choices when exploring colleges.
“IU Northwest offered me many opportunities to further my education,” Bivol said. “I have also gained experience in leadership and communication through many of the extracurricular activities.”
Putting her skills to the test
Bivol is ready to put those academic and leadership skills to the test. She plans to take her nursing licensure exam soon and hopes to one day provide care to Moldovans living in villages, like the one she grew up in.
“With my nursing degree I truly feel that I can provide care to my patients and look forward to doing what I love,” she said.
As Bivol looks back on her college experience, she encourages students to learn what they are passionate about, even if they aren’t sure at first. “It is alright to not know what exactly it is that you want to do,” she said. “The most important voice that you should be listening to is yours.”
Because Bivol listened to herself and always followed her dreams, patients here in Northwest Indiana, and maybe even as far as Eastern Europe, will benefit from her passion for nursing and her caring spirit.
