For nursing student Danielle Mercado, the journey to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Nursing (CON) has been anything but linear. Thanks to the Hearst Foundation Scholarship, her path forward is clearer than ever.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public health, Danielle became a certified nursing assistant (CNA). This experience reignited her passion for patient care and led her to MUSC’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. “My experience greatly influenced me to go back into nursing,” Danielle said.
“Working with the elderly population and on a nephrology floor showed me how impactful even a small role in health care can be.” The Charleston native is now fully immersed in her studies at MUSC. She credits the Hearst Foundation Scholarship with allowing her to reduce her work hours and focus on academics. “This scholarship has helped me tremendously,” she said. “It’s allowed me to achieve an A average, get involved in volunteer work with my church and participate in student activities like the Student Government Association.”
Danielle aspires to remain a nurse at the bedside, caring for adults. She’s still determining which hospital specialty suits her best, but she is confident that her time at MUSC CON will prepare her to make a difference. As a former patient at MUSC, Danielle chose the college, knowing firsthand the level of care and compassion its nurses provide.
“I knew the nursing here was phenomenal,” she said. “The team made me feel like I was part of something. That made me want to learn here and one day do the same for someone else.” Her story is one of resilience, purpose and the power of scholarships to open doors for students committed to caring for others.
Devin Brown
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