Baker Proud Spring 2015 - (Page 15)
BAKER PROUD | Spring 2015
Finding his calling
Recent nursing graduate changes careers
A
former pastor with a background in medicine,
James Aubey began thinking about pursuing
a nursing degree during a faltering economy
in 2008. After his first wife, a registered nurse,
passed away a couple of years later, he followed his heart
and enrolled in the Baker School of Nursing.
In mid-December, Aubey joined 31 classmates during
a special pinning ceremony at Grace Episcopal Cathedral.
Two days later, he walked across the stage at the Collins
Center as a Baker nursing graduate after earning a bachelor's degree in nursing.
"Nursing and pastoring have a lot in common," said
Aubey, who served four years as pastor at Auburn (Kan.)
Presbyterian Church. "It's about caring and loving people."
Aubey has had a long career caring for others. In addition to being a pastor, he has been a paramedic, director of
operations and part owner of a small noninvasive cardiac
laboratory, and a product manager for a medical equipment company.
"I feel like I'm coming full circle, utilizing the skills that
I have developed over the years," he noted.
Aubey continued a Baker tradition of succeeding on
the National Council Licensure Examination. He passed
the NCLEX on his first attempt. In 2013, Baker nursing
students had the highest first-time pass rate in the state at
96.15 percent, well above the state average of 79 percent
and national average of 83 percent.
In 2011, his first wife, Lori, died from a heart attack at
age 55 on Thanksgiving Day. A registered nurse for more
than 30 years, Lori was a cardiovascular ICU nurse before
entering nursing management. The Aubeys were married
for 18 years.
"She had supported my decision to pursue a career in
nursing," Aubey said.
Aubey has since remarried. He and Hilary Peguero
were united in marriage in June 2013.
"Hilary has been extremely supportive during my time
at Baker," he said.
Aubey, who earned a 4.0 grade-point average at Baker
and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, an international
honor society for nursing, made the most of his two years
studying nursing at Baker. He became a Baker Buddy,
serving as a mentor to incoming students, and was a
Baker Student Ambassador. He led special Thanksgiving
and Easter services for the Nurses Christian Fellowship.
"I feel like I'm coming full circle, utilizing
the skills that I have developed over the
years." - James Aubey, BSN '14
Aubey also was selected for a Veterans Affairs Learning
Opportunity Residency, a 10-week summer internship at
Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
"I really enjoy working with veterans," Aubey said.
"They are good guys and very appreciative of the care they
receive. Part of being a nurse is being an advocate for your
patient."
Aubey is looking for a job in areas of cardiology, intensive care, psychiatric nursing, medical-surgical or general
nursing.
"A nurse can get a job anywhere," Aubey said.
At 53, Aubey was the oldest member of the fall of 2014
nursing class. Most of his classmates are close in age to his
daughter, Sarah, a student at Emporia State.
"My classmates accepted me from the beginning,"
Aubey said.
His career in nursing is just starting.
15
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baker Proud Spring 2015
Campus News
Alumni Faculty
Thirst for Knowledge
Mungano Momentum
Alumni Notes
Finding His Calling
Let Thy Praises Ring
Vietnam Documentary
Alumni Weekend
Prison Fellowship
Anatomy of a Student
100th Doctoral Graduate
Sports Highlights
Event Calendar
Baker Proud Spring 2015
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/Summer2019
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/Summer2018
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/Fall2017
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/Spring2017
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/fall2016
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/spring2016
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/bakp/fall2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/bakp/spring2015
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