Joe Namio

Goal Statement: I was led to the profession of nursing by accident. I had no intentions of working in healthcare after obtaining my CNA license in high school. During the pandemic, I was looking for a job and the only place that would hire a 17-year old were nursing homes, so I thought I would give it a try. I immediately fell in love with taking care of people in their most vulnerable times. I have continued to work as a CNA and nurse intern as time allows with school, building upon my abilities to establish patient rapport and provide holistic care.

In nursing school I have learned various skills that will be beneficial to my practice. Going through nursing school while playing a sport has taught me great time management skills that I will carry for the rest of my life. Nursing school has also taught me integrity and resiliency. I am able to stand up for myself, take responsibility for my actions, and learn from my mistakes. Nursing school has prepared me for a life of learning by encouraging curiosity for personal and professional growth. Some other skills I have acquired in nursing school that I will bring to my practice include compassion, empathy, advocacy, teamwork, critical thinking, altruism, and cultural competence.

I am interested in the UW Health nurse residency program because it offers a great opportunity to improve the transition from school to practice within a prestigious healthcare organization. The program's emphasis on mentorship, evidence-based practice, patient centeredness, and cultural diversity align with my goals and values as a healthcare professional. I am also drawn to the learning opportunities and focus on critical thinking that will prepare me to provide high quality, person-centered care.

I believe that my experience working for the diverse populations of Freeport, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa will be beneficial to the UW Health organization. Through my work as an intern in the emergency department and local food shelter, I believe that I have grown in my ability to care for and interact with vulnerable populations with poor social determinants of health. I am always trying to improve my cultural competence and believe that this ideology will flourish in this organization with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

• FHN Healthcare Career Scholarship Recipient [2022]
• Deans List Fall and Spring Semesters of 2023, 2024, and 2025
• MSFA First-Team All-Conference [2023]
• Global Brigades Population Health Mentor [2024]

• Oncology Nursing Society Member [2024]
• Sexual Assault Patient Care for Medical Providers [University of Iowa, 2024]
• Polaris Human Trafficking 101 [2024]
• Certified Nursing Assistant [2020- present]
• Basic Life Support [2020- present]