Liberty nursing student receives national scholarship

Liberty University sophomore and nursing student Caroline Autumn Carlson received a $1,000 national scholarship from Platinum Educational Group for her hard work and dedication in the field of nursing. 

Winning this award helped make Carlson’s continuation in the nursing program  possible. 

Jeremy Johnson, director of marketing for Platinum Educational Group, said Platinum seeks to assist students in the fields of emergency medical services, allied health and nursing with the cost of their education.  

“We understand the rising cost of tuition,” Johnson said. “It’s our way of giving back to healthcare students who are giving back to their  communities.”

Carlson’s thesis for her scholarship award described the burnout that many nurses experience and the action necessary to face this rising dilemma in the medical field.  

“It is possible to alleviate the burnout feeling that professionals experience in the field of nursing,” Carlson said. “Working to improve nurses’ emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the best ways to prevent the epidemic of burnout and decrease the negative effects that this problem creates.”  

Carlson said that the best way for a nurse to serve a patient is to first care for his or her own needs. 

“It’s my heart to not only address the physical needs, but also to address the emotional and spiritual needs,” Carlson said. “I believe that medicine is holistic.” 

Carlson hopes to continue her nursing career in the field of pediatrics or the emergency room. 

“I’ve always loved helping people and as a Christian I think that’s part of following the Lord and listening to the unique calling on your life,” Carlson said. “The Lord has made it clear to me … that nursing is the field I’m called to.”