Anakaren Nieves

Hello! My name is Anakaren Nieves and I was born and raised in a small town in Northern California. There are many reasons why I chose to go to school out of state and especially Colorado, but knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in nursing, the nursing program at Regis and the university’s Jesuit and core values were truly some of the main factors that lead me here. I am currently a Senior Nursing student and will graduate in May 2020. Both my town, family, and cultural background have significantly influenced me into pursuing a career as a nurse. Being bicultural has transformed me into the person I am today. My yearly trips to Mexico at a very young age also sparked an inscrutable feeling for helping others. From my experience in witnessing firsthand the alarming status of poverty and crucially devastating health issues in the Mexican community sparked a sense of care and compassion to one day be able to care for people in these situations.

My ultimate goal in life is to be a Nurse Practitioner. I plan to work as a registered nurse for a couple of years, potentially be a travel nurse, and be able to work both in the states and out of the country, especially in underdeveloped and disadvantaged communities. This is why I am especially excited for the opportunity of going on this trip to Guatemala. The purpose of this trip and the people on this medical team have continually inspired me to continue learning from and serving marginalized communities. I cannot wait to share my experience throughout this journey!