Theresa Cain

(TRANSCRIPT ONLY) Theresa Cain, a native of Spencer, WI, studied nursing at UW Oshkosh from 1995-1999. Cain was inspired to become a nurse after seeing the positive impact her mother, also a nurse, had on her community. She chose UWO because she was attracted to the size of the campus and received a significant scholarship supporting her studies, but her parents did not understand why she wanted a four year degree and gave little support. Despite this, Cain had a successful career as an active and dedicated nursing student at UWO. She sang choir, worked as a freshman orientation leader and volunteered at the Opera House downtown. Cain discusses her experiences with the College of Nursing, including the competitive and rigorous nature of the program, her relationships with fellow nursing students, her experiences on rotation at a local Salvation Army shelter and at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, a study abroad trip to France and England, and her clinical experience at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, which she credits for helping her realize which field of nursing suited her best. Cain also reflects on drinking culture in Oshkosh, which she believes supports rape culture, her perceptions of Greek Life, her experiences with a roommate who was in an abusive relationship, and she shares an anecdote about surviving a dorm fire in Donner Hall. Cain credits UWO for opening her eyes to the variedness of human experiences and maintains that attending college was one of the best decisions she has made in her life.