My plan has always been pretty simple: I learn English, I study to be a nurse, and then, I can stay here.

Hopefully.

I know it's a big challenge and a daunting task.

But you can do it.

We will be watching and cheering you on.

Congratulations to all of our Fall 2021 College of Nursing graduates.

Take charge of the healthcare world because it desperately needs you to manage it.

Highest Distinction.

University Honors.

"Awarded at Iowa City in the State of Iowa."

I've been in Iowa for five years.

And it's a comfortable place.

My parents saved up everything just to help me have a life here.

So I guess there's a little pressure.

The [nursing] license exam is coming.

If I can't pass, then I can't even get a nursing internship… …and I definitely cannot stay here.

[Exam prep lecture] When you see the fancy words… "negative inotropic," "negative chronotropic"… Don't freak out.

All that's saying is—what?

It's like ventricular bigeminy.

This guy has ventricular bigeminy.

"What do you like to do?"

"What's your weekend plan?"

"What's your dream?"

[Exam prep video] …the increase in diameter of the spiral arteries, …what's gonna happen in the placenta?

So, protein… [Exam prep video] This is a scenario where you lose touch with reality.

You go insane… …because you don't have B1 [Exam prep lecture] Number 3, patient teaching.

Teach these patients the onset and duration… The first thing you must do to get a psych question correct is decide: is my patient non-psychotic or… I get to be an RN.

But my nursing internship won't last forever.

If I work really hard, maybe I'll get a real position.

I have to stay hopeful.

I have to stay here.

I kind of became an adult in Iowa.

So… I want to stay hopeful.

But I'm tired of just worrying about staying here.

Goodbye, Iowa.

I will miss you.