Nursing Student Grateful for Supportive Community at Viterbo

For Haleigh Zanoni '24, the support system she had as a nursing student at Viterbo made a world of difference. "It took a lot of people to get me here," she said. "Without my education, I would not be where I am."

She landed her position at UW Health in Madison, Wis. in Neuro ICU before she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As a student, her internship on a general care neurology floor at a regional hospital where she helped patients as they came out of intensive care, helped her decide on her nursing pathway and focus.

"I love high acuity care. I want to hopefully see patients get better," she emphasized, "So that they can get back to their families and their work." She hopes to someday go back to school to become a nurse practitioner.

Zanoni played softball for the V-Hawks, and given her demanding studies combined with softball practice, games, and her work schedule, she said she was often stretched thin. With the help of her teachers and coach, she was able to balance her schedules and make everything work.

"Going to a school Viterbo's size was amazing," Zanoni shared. "It has been huge. I have someone in my corner at all times. Professors have been a major support system and my coach has allowed me to take the extra time I need."

Zanoni is from Machesney Park, Ill. She received an academic scholarship from Viterbo, a merit scholarship, and she was the recipient of the Sr. Thea Bowman scholarship. "Scholarships took a major burden off of me," Zanoni said. "They allowed me to work less and helped me pay for my housing."

She was a 2024 recipient of Viterbo's Outstanding Student Leader Award, an award presented annually to three to five students who exhibit continuous exemplary leadership, are well-respected role models, and demonstrate a solid commitment to campus life, community service, and charitable organizations.