CU Nursing - Commencement December 2020 - 4

G R A D U AT I O N

C O N V O C AT I O N 2 0 2 0

Going Full Circle
to Discover His
Life Purpose

This past May, Michael earned his associate's degree at ACC.
He'll also receive a RN-BSN at the University of Colorado
College of Nursing on December 12, 2020.

BLOOD AND GUTS
Nursing is now his passion. He recently landed a job as a
nurse in the ICU at Sky Ridge. But it makes one wonder,
what about all of those blood and guts?

By Deborah Mandeville

" I think it was initially a misunderstanding of what it means
to be in health care. Sure, you can't avoid that stuff. But it's
a lot more than just that. It's really about the other aspects
of nursing, like the compassion you share with patients, the
impact you make on their lives on a daily basis, and the
relationships you develop with them and your colleagues. "

ometimes you have to find your own way.
When Michael Morgan graduated high
school, he knew he didn't want to follow in
his parents' footsteps. His mom is a dental
hygienist, and his dad has spent 30 years
in a cardiac catheterization lab.

" My dad always said, 'Health care will take you everywhere.
Nursing will support you for the rest of your life. It's a great
career,' " Michael said. But it wasn't for him, he says, because
he can't stand blood and guts.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Instead, Michael set his sights on Western Michigan
University for industrial design and then business. In 2008,
he was studying Mandarin Chinese for international business and striving for a double major. But after hundreds of
hours of studying, he realized it wasn't for him. He couldn't
imagine doing sales or business down the road. So, Michael
quit college and took a break.
Michael's dad helped him get a job where he worked at the
Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Michael
worked as a transport tech in the ER and in other support
roles. That's when he changed his mind about health care.
" From day one, I fell in love with it, " Michael said. " I was
able to impact people's lives on a daily basis. I was able to
put a smile on their face even after talking with them just
a few minutes. I knew it would be satisfying long-term. "

DEVOTION TO OTHERS
Michael's now been in health care more than a decade.
In 2014, after visiting a friend in Colorado, he decided to
move here. He found work at Sky Ridge Medical Center
in women's services. Then a year later, Michael decided
he wanted to be a nurse. So, he applied at Arapahoe
Community College (ACC) for a two-year nursing degree
(ADN). There, he discovered ACC has a partnership with
the University of Colorado (RN to BSN track) which would
simultaneously put him on track to earn a bachelor's of
science in nursing.

CU College of Nursing | December 2020

He says his parents are proud that he discovered his life's
purpose in health care. While he credits them for always
knowing the right path he should take, he's grateful for their
wisdom to let him find his own way to it.
Michael Morgan
is all suited up
and ready to
care for patients

" It was full circle and gratifying. At the time, I said 'No, I'm
going my own way,' but then turned around and got into
nursing. I needed to have that insight. There's so much more
drive and personal satisfaction because I brought myself to
this place instead of someone pushing me to it. "

CU Nursing - Commencement December 2020

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