CU Nursing - Graduation 2019 - 3

G R A D U AT I O N

dream of opening a girls' home for
sex-trafficking victims in Denver.
Despite facing the demands of a nursing
program, Harmon worked part-time in
the home for girls ages 12 to 18.
"I was called a direct care provider,
so I was with these girls one-onone every single day." The girls who
qualified for the home often came
directly from the sex-trafficking
world and were highly traumatized
and confused, Harmon said.
"It just made me so aware of everything that was happening in our backyard and in places that were literally
down the street from me," Harmon
said. "It's just amazing now that they
opened the home how much more
awareness there is of it and how many
cases we have to turn down because
there is simply not enough space," she
said. "There is a huge need."
Many of the girls were runaways from
the foster care system. "It made me
just heartbroken. I realized how much
healing has to take place with them,"
said Harmon, who learned a lot about
trauma-informed care during her
time working with the home.

EXPERIENCES HELP SHAPE
COMMUNITY SERVICE PLAN
"It was so helpful having that mental
health side of it. Bringing that into
my nursing has been super helpful,"
said Harmon, who had to quit to
focus on her education but intends
to continue helping sex-trafficking
victims again someday.
For now, her sights are set on becoming a community nurse practitioner and eventually having an even
bigger impact on medically needy
populations. She and her husband
have talked seriously about moving
overseas somewhere in critical need
of medical care, Harmon said. "We
would want to go where we could
help even more people."

Personal
Experience
Motivates
Mathis to
Become a
Nurse
By Katelyn Nolan

Kathryn Mathis discovered nursing when her daughter Lily contracted viral
meningitis, which then developed into a serious brain injury. "I wanted to give
back. The nurses inspired me... I don't think I would have ended up here if Lily and
I didn't have that experience."
With five children, Mathis learned during the BSN program to balance her family and her
education. "My husband is incredibly supportive and excited for me," said Mathis. Even
with support, the balance can be difficult to strike. "I had to change the way we live. Taking
off the little loads make a big difference - like dishes. There were some times when we
used paper plates because I didn't have the time to do the dishes." With advocates in her
home and at the College of Nursing encouraging her along the way, she was able to thrive
educationally. Mathis specifically singles out Assistant Professor Tammy Spencer. "She
is by far the best instructor I've ever met." Spencer reinforced Mathis' drive to complete
her education with reassuring words of encouragement throughout the program.
After graduation, Mathis will be continuing the long process to medical foster care. For
her family, it is important to support children like Lily - those who do not have homes but
need medical attention at home. Ultimately, Mathis would like to continue to serve the
pediatric population with terminal illnesses or severe physical disabilities.
Mathis' words of wisdom to anyone studying medical professions is to not get caught
up in the textbook. She emphasizes that many patients will not fit into boxes laid out
in scientific literature. Having empathy is key. "Presume competence in people with
disabilities. Expect the best out of people - they are intelligent."

Graduation 2019

CU Nursing - Graduation 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CU Nursing - Graduation 2019