For Lorena Rosado '26, nursing has always been about serving others with compassion, dignity, and grace. That passion led her to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing in University of Hartford’s College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, where she gained the confidence, skills, and hands-on experience to launch her career.
Before graduating in May 2026, Rosado landed a position at Yale New Haven Hospital in the South Pavilion Level 1 Trauma Operating Room. After passing the NCLEX, she will begin her career providing safe, compassionate care to patients undergoing life-changing surgeries.
"I've always had a heart for serving," Rosado says. "Nursing allowed me to give back to the community the care, love, and grace that everyone deserves."
Throughout her time at UHart, Rosado discovered her passion for perioperative nursing through a variety of clinical placements. Those experiences exposed her to different specialties while strengthening her clinical judgment, communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
"My experiences at UHart helped me grow in confidence, leadership, communication, and teamwork," she says. "They prepared me for my career and helped me become the person and nurse I want to be."
A pivotal moment came during the summer of 2025, when Rosado earned a highly competitive Student Nurse Intern position in the Operating Room at Connecticut Children's (CCMC). Selected as one of only two students from over 200 applicants, she gained invaluable experience in surgical asepsis, sterile technique, surgical procedures, and working as part of an operating room team.
"That experience is where my interest in the OR truly began to grow," she says.
Lorena Rosado '26, College of Education, Nursing and Health ProfessionsMy experiences at UHart helped me grow in confidence, leadership, communication, and teamwork. They prepared me for my career and helped me become the person and nurse I want to be
Rosado credits both her classmates and faculty for helping her succeed. Long hours spent studying with friends built resilience and confidence, while professors challenged her to think critically and prepared her for the demands of professional nursing.
Outside the classroom, she immersed herself in campus life through the Protestant Campus Ministry, UHart Gospel Choir, Red Caps, Stride, and the Student Nurse Association. She says her involvement with Protestant Campus Ministry had the greatest impact, helping her grow in her faith while finding a supportive community on campus.
As she prepares to begin her career, Rosado is grateful for the education and experiences that shaped her journey.
"I am able to apply the skills I gained at UHart through hands-on clinical experiences, especially my communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, to provide safe and compassionate patient care," she says.
Her advice for future Hawks is simple: "Trust yourself and be confident. You are here for a reason. You are smart, capable, and ready for this new chapter. Believe in yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and enjoy the journey. You've got this!"