Hi everyone! My name is Jaclyn Bittner, but my friends call me Jackie. I am a freshman nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh. I grew up in Pennsylvania only about 30 minutes away from Pittsburgh! I’ve known from an early age that I wanted to work in the medical field because I value building meaningful connections with people. I value being able to take the time to truly get to know and care for my patients. That’s what led me to pursue nursing, as it allows me to combine compassion with hands-on care.

Outside of academics, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. I love playing volleyball, long-distance running, pickleball, and hiking with friends. I also love learning new things and challenging myself in new environments. Academically, I am focused on developing a strong foundation in nursing and continuing to grow my knowledge and skills. Professionally, I hope to pursue a career in either pediatrics or anesthesia, where I can make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives, their health, and continue to grow within the healthcare field. I am also super excited to experience the culture of Birmingham by exploring its history, food, and every day life.

This summer, I will be participating in the Plus3 program in the United Kingdom, where we will be visiting Birmingham and London. I chose this program because I am very interested in learning more about the UK’s medical system and how it compares to the system in the United States. I believe this experience will be both educational and impactful, and it will influence my future practices as a nurse. I am also grateful for the opportunity to study abroad with other students in both nursing and education, as I believe these fields go hand in hand and will broaden my perspective. Through this program, I hope to grow personally by stepping outside of my comfort zone, academically by gaining a deeper understanding of global healthcare systems, and professionally by developing skills that I can apply to my future career. I look forward to sharing my experiences with my peers and use the knowledge I gain to support my goal of becoming a nurse, especially as I explore interests in pediatrics or anesthesia.