Nicole Nixon, Class of 2017, played for the 2016 and 2017 Lady Barons softball teams. She serves as a registered nurse at Acuity Specialty Hospital of Southern New Jersey in Willingboro, New Jersey.

We thank Nicole for taking a few minutes to answer some questions about her time as a Baron and giving some advice on how we can all help flatten the curve.

Q: When did you know you wanted to get into health care?

A: My dad, a lifelong type 1 diabetic, has experienced numerous hospitalizations throughout his life. He would always say he envisioned me working in healthcare, specifically as a nurse, because he had such amazing nurses in the past. My grandmother was also a nurse, and my aunt currently works as a nurse at Virtua in Camden. Coming from a line of nurses and knowing I wanted to work in a profession that made a difference on a daily basis, nursing just made sense!

Q: Who was a person or people who had an impact on you during your time at RCBC?

A: The support I received from my softball teammates, coaches and the entire athletic department throughout my time in the nursing program and playing softball at RCBC was incredible. Everyone was so confident in my ability to balance the life of a collegiate athlete with the life of a stressed out, anxiety-ridden nursing student, even when I lacked that confidence in myself. I vividly remember studying for hours in the athletic building before practices or games with my teammates always ready to help quiz me. When you’re a Baron, you really are part of one big family.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: Having the opportunity to help people in what could be the most vulnerable time of their lives is definitely the most rewarding part of my job as a nurse. I always try to care for my patients in the way I would want my family members taken care of.

Q: How do you see COVID-19 changing/shaping your profession moving forward?

A: I believe this pandemic is truly changing the way nursing is perceived by the public. We are being recognized now more than ever before, yet we are doing the same job but with the obvious additional risks of contracting this virus and bringing it home to our loved ones. Hopefully, some good can come of this terrible time, such as better policies and protocols regarding disaster situations and better stocked/preserved PPE.

Q: What advice would you give people during this time as we work to flatten the curve?

A: Staying home is the most important thing we can all do right now. I know how repetitive that is to say, and I know how antsy we all are while staying home because I feel the exact same way. However, the fewer people who continue avoiding the practice of social distancing, the worse this pandemic is going to get, which equates to an even longer time in quarantine. Minimize the number of stores you go to and the amount of time you spend in them, wear a mask and wash your hands frequently. Do this not only to protect yourselves and your loved ones, but for the essential workers facing this pandemic head-on.

Q: What is your favorite memory as a Baron student-athlete?

A: My favorite memory as a Baron was going to Florida for pre-season training during spring break. I loved traveling with my teammates and playing beneath the palm trees in the warm weather. We had amazing times bonding on and off the field prepping for our season. As a Baron, I made lifelong friendships I am so incredibly grateful for.

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