Meet October Alumni Spotlight: Olivia Martin, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
When Olivia Martin graduated from Bolivar Technical College’s LPN program in 2016, she knew she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Today, that commitment has taken her through medical-surgical nursing, emergency care, and into pediatric nursing. Now an RN and a Family Nurse Practitioner graduate, Olivia continues to grow while staying grounded in the compassion that first inspired her to become a nurse. In this Alumni Spotlight, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the challenges that shaped her, and the encouragement she hopes to pass along to the next generation of nurses.
Q: Have you specialized in any specific area of nursing? If so, what drew you to that specialization, and what are the unique challenges and rewards it has brought that future nurses should consider?
A: Pediatrics was not initially my plan, but it has grown on me. That is due to the amount of influence we (nurses and other healthcare workers) have on children, as they develop and grow. We sometimes get to witness children flourish into teens or young adults. Other times, we stand in to protect or advocate for them in their most vulnerable moments.
Q: What advice would you give to current nursing students who are about to embark on their career path? Are there any key lessons or insights that you wish you had known when you were starting out?
A: Do not give up. Read the extra book. Buy the audio book. Get off of Social media.
Q: What would you tell someone today that is trying to decide whether to go into the nursing field or not?
A: Opportunities are endless. You are never stuck in one place. You can advance your career in a variety of ways. You can change the entire trajectory of a human’s life.
Q: What influenced your decision to pursue a career in nursing?
A: Watching strangers care for my grandmother. She had terminal cancer.
Q: How is working as a nurse different from what, as a student, you expected nursing to be?
A: As a student nurse, nursing was a career. As a nurse, you realize that the career is the byproduct of caring. What makes the world a better place, is caring.
Q: Has your nursing career progressed since you graduated? What positions have you held, what was your favorite and why? And what are your responsibilities in your current position?
A: RN,BSN. Masters FNP. Currently working as a pediatric walk-in nurse in my 8th year. I have also worked Med-Surge and ER.
Q: Are there any particular moments or experiences in your nursing career that have stood out to you or shaped your professional growth?
A: Most of my growth in nursing has come from moments of doubting myself. When you think you can’t or you are not good enough, do it anyway. And one step at a time, you gain courage, confidence, and wisdom.
Q: What is your favorite way to spend free time when you are not working as a nurse? Any special ways to de-stress? Fun hobbies to help unwind?
A: Hiking, biking, nature. Yoga or other forms of mediation to ground yourself. Remind yourself why you are here.
Olivia’s nursing path shows the impact of perseverance, compassion, and a willingness to keep learning. From earning her LPN to completing her Family Nurse Practitioner degree, she continues to build a career centered on caring for others. We are proud to celebrate Olivia’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing the lives she’ll continue to impact in the years ahead.
If you are a BTC grad and would like to share your story about any of our programs or would like to tell us what you’ve been up to since graduating, we would love to hear it! Just complete the questionnaire and send us a photo of yourself.