Aileen Russo's Page

WOW! It's official...I'm a blogger. Before I go off on that tangent, let's get through all the formalities. 

Halloween 2011

My name is Aileen Russo and I'm in my senior year of nursing school. I have been a Peer Tutor in the Center for Academic Success (CAS) for about a year and a half. I also serve as the Vice President of the Student Government Association on the Addison, IL campus. I stay incredibly active on campus with other student organizations, activities, and somehow find time to also work as a CNA. I love being a student (again) and would never trade these last couple of years for anything! 

I'm not sure if I've found my "niche" yet in the vast world of nursing, but I remain highly intrigued with the Emergency Department and the ICU. While I am unsure of what kind of nurse I would like to be, what I am certain of is that I thrive in environments where I'm constantly challenged and pushed to excel. I chose nursing because it gives me the opportunity to not only work in medicine, but a chance to care for those who can't care for themselves, to use my nurse's knowledge and intuition when something is amiss, to coach or humor a patient through a bad day, or to touch someone's life if only for a short amount of time. Unlike a lot of Filipinos, I don't come from a family full of nurses -- in fact, I'm the daughter of a teacher and an engineer. However, the way I see it, nursing IS in my blood.

Minutes before the Critical Care HESI

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel halfway across the globe to the Philippines is incredibly exciting for me. While I have been there several times in my life, it has never been in the capacity of a nurse (a student nurse, of course). It's a unique opportunity for me to be able to utilize the skills and knowledge that I have acquired thus far in the program. I’m certain that immersing myself in the culture and environment will challenge me in ways I probably never thought possible – physically and emotionally. While I may not necessarily be able to speak the dialect, I firmly believe that taking care of other human beings has an unspoken language all its own which often needs to translation at all.

Outside of school, I am a huge sports fan -- Chicago Bears, Bulls, and I do have a soft spot in my heart for the Cubs. I'm always down for a game so call me! I enjoy traveling, discovering fantastic places to eat, and have an eclectic taste in music. Nothing like a good concert! I'm a golfer and softball player. I'm also an Aries and a terrible cook. 

I look forward to an amazing time with my friends coming along with me on this ride, and for the friendships that are yet to blossom. This blog will be continuously updated, even while we are abroad. We hope you find it entertaining and engaging.

 To my boo, I will miss you terribly during those 17 days. I love you and please clean the house. =)

-Aileen