As Christendom College’s Class of 2026 prepares for graduation this May, many soon-to-be graduates are already preparing for their future careers. For graduating seniors Anna Hsu and Julia Christie, that means preparing for careers in healthcare after being accepted into accelerated nursing programs. These programs are highly competitive, but Christendom’s liberal arts education, Natural Science offerings, and strong support from the college’s Career & Professional Development Office helped prepare them for this significant accomplishment.
For both Hsu and Christie, the desire to pursue healthcare developed through a growing sense of vocation and service to others. Hsu credits much of her interest in healthcare to her father, whose work as a physician inspired her from a young age.
“I have always felt called to care for others, and I decided the best way for me to do so would be through nursing,” says Hsu. “My dad was a big influence on my interest in healthcare. As a doctor, he has always put his patients first, and I love seeing how devoted he is to his work.”
For Christie, the calling came later during her time at Christendom after encouragement from friends already working in healthcare. After earning her Certified Nurse’s Assistant certification during the summer of 2024 and beginning work in a nursing home, she quickly realized she had found her future career.
“Shortly after I started, I felt I had found my calling and the nurses there encouraged me to look into Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) courses,” says Christie.
Though both students knew they wanted to pursue nursing, they intentionally chose to receive a Christendom education first, desiring formation not only in science but also in philosophy and theology before entering the healthcare field.
Christie (middle) studying in the college’s new science lab.
“I know that the world of healthcare is challenging in today’s world, and I wanted to be prepared to face the challenges that would arise,” says Hsu. “I knew Christendom would provide me with a solid foundation in my faith and with a good group of friends who could support me during difficult times. I also wanted to study philosophy because I believed it would help me to have a greater understanding of the human person and care for patients in a more holistic manner.”
Christie similarly chose to complete her liberal arts education before entering nursing school, recognizing the value of studying theology and philosophy prior to entering a demanding healthcare environment.
“Once I did my research and found the ABSN programs, I knew it would be my best option to continue my education in the liberal arts, especially theology, before becoming a nurse,” says Christie.
Hsu will attend Shenandoah University’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN program, a rigorous 15-month program that accepts only around 30 students annually and boasts an exceptional NCLEX pass rate. Christie was accepted into Huntington University’s accelerated nursing program in Indiana, a 13-month program that partners closely with Parkview Hospital and offers full tuition reimbursement opportunities for graduates who remain with the hospital system.
Both students found that Christendom’s academics helped prepare them exceptionally well for the next step in their vocational journeys. Through coursework in anatomy and physiology, philosophy, theology, and the sciences, they developed not only technical knowledge but also the ethical reasoning and communication skills essential for healthcare professions.
“The liberal arts education, especially the theology and philosophy courses, has prepared me on how to face moral and ethical issues, especially those involving human dignity and preserving life,” says Christie. “I know that in healthcare I may be in situations where the patient will need an advocate for them to uphold the ethical boundaries. My liberal arts education has made me more confident in being able to stand up for myself and others in maintaining the dignity and morality of human life.”
Both students also highlighted the impact of Christendom’s Natural Science program and the mentorship they received from faculty members, especially Dr. Aileen Foeckler.
“My Anatomy and Physiology II course with Dr. Aileen Foeckler was by far my favorite class this year,” says Christie. “Dr. Foeckler taught us beyond the slides of class and offered so much guidance for our future careers. I especially appreciated how we were able to look at Anatomy and Physiology with a Catholic perspective.”
Hsu similarly pointed to Anatomy and Physiology I and II as especially formative classes during her preparation for nursing school. She also credited Dr. William Hannegan for helping shape her understanding of medical ethics through her senior thesis work.
Dr. Aileen Foeckler (middle) teaching in the college’s new science lab. Her courses were hugely impactful on Hsu and Christie’s journey to getting into ASBN programs.
“This experience helped me understand how my own ethical views compare to the views held by most healthcare professionals, and how each perspective affects how to interact with patients,” says Hsu.
When it came time to apply for nursing school, both students received additional support from Christendom’s Career & Professional Development Office. Director Kristin Stephens helped guide them through researching programs, preparing applications, and navigating the admissions process.
“Mrs. Kristin Stephens helped me research the many ABSN programs in the area, and she introduced me to Shenandoah University,” says Hsu.
Now preparing for the next stage of their education, both students hope to live out Christendom’s mission of “restoring all things in Christ” through compassionate and faithful healthcare.
“I hope to impact each individual patient by being a joyful, calming presence,” says Hsu. “I want to follow Christ’s footsteps in caring for the sick in a loving manner. I plan to be open about my faith with my classmates and coworkers, and I want to help plant seeds of faith in everyone around me.”
“As I look ahead to nursing school and my future career, I hope to live out Christendom’s mission of ‘restoring all things in Christ’ by serving others with dignity and compassion, just as Christ does,” Christie adds. “Working in the nursing home has truly shown me what it means to love others, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. These experiences have strengthened my desire to care for others with kindness, respect, and selflessness. I believe that Christendom has strengthened my faith, and I hope to reflect Christ every day in the way I care for others throughout my nursing career.”
Anna Hsu and Julia Christie are the latest Christendom graduates to pursue careers in healthcare following graduation. With the continued growth of the college’s Natural Science major and the recent opening of the college’s new science facilities in Ven. Lejeune Hall, even more students will be prepared for successful careers in healthcare in the years to come, equipped with both scientific knowledge and the moral formation necessary to serve others faithfully and compassionately.