Nursing Doctoral Student Revisits Her Rural Roots

WSU Nursing student Rachel Reaume grew up in a family owned farm in rural Michigan. She knew farming was not in her future but she didn't have a specific vision for her career path. She had an interest in forensic science but she became inspired to go into nursing when her grandfather became seriously ill during her high school years. She spent many hours by his bedside and learned to appreciate all the helpful people that came into her family's life during that difficult time. "He wasn't always a great patient," remembers Reaume. "I think about him when I have a challenging patient. I know they are usually just terrified of the unknown and the unwanted."

She graduated from WSU with a BSN in 2009 with the intention of becoming a forensic nurse because she loved all the science and detail that was involved in the field. She ultimately decided to practice Orthopedics and Neurology as an RN. She then went on to do travel nursing in California and Chicago. After spending time in a variety of clinical settings, she felt homesick for Michigan and for the past 5 years has worked in the ICU at Henry Ford Hospital.

Currently, Reaume is attending Wayne State University and is working on her Doctorate in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. "I have so many passions this field that I cannot really pick one," said Reaume. "Teaching is in my future."

Reaume is required to perform clinical rotations in a variety of settings as part of her Doctoral Degree. She spent the first semester in a clinical rotation at Houghton Lake Urgent Care at MidMichigan Community Health Services which hosts the Michigan AHEC Northern Lower Regional Center. "I am really loving it here," said Reaume. "I work with a great team that has really embraced and supported me throughout this learning curve. Each patient I have completed a procedure on has been a personal cheerleader." During the next semester, she will continue her work in the Urgent Care setting and will include rotation hours in Primary Care as well.

With her background in rural and urban health care, Reaume can see herself practicing in both settings but is considering a move to Northern Michigan. Either way, she is looking forward to getting to know patients and developing a relationship with them. "I love to see others grow," she adds. Whatever path Rachel Reaume chooses, it is certain she has a bright future ahead and it will reflect her passion for patient care, teaching and learning.