USU Eastern News Release | Photo by Dallin Grant | USU
Utah State University Eastern’s Nursing Program continues to shine as one of Eastern Utah’s most respected and student-centered health care training environments.
With its rigorous hands-on learning, small class sizes and a culture grounded in compassion and connection, the program produces confident, capable nurses who are prepared to serve their communities from day one.
For current nursing student Angel Welch, the program represents both a dream fulfilled and a community she has always wanted to serve. Growing up in Price, she always imagined attending USU Eastern.
“Starting out in nursing can feel intimidating,” Welch said, “but the USU Eastern program helps you build confidence quickly.”
She credits her professors for creating a supportive, encouraging environment.
“The professors here are amazing. They truly care about your success,” she said.
Angel loves the human side of nursing — getting to know patients and their families — and believes USU Eastern prepares students exceptionally well for those moments.
“The hands-on experience from day one makes all the difference.”
Arie Kranendonk, an LPN now working toward his RN, was inspired by family to pursue nursing. His sister, a nurse herself, helped spark his interest in the field.
“I love getting to know patients and their families,” he said.
Staying in his home community mattered deeply to him.
“I wanted to stay in our small-town community, and USU Eastern offers so many opportunities because of that,” he said.
Arie also appreciates the program’s close relationships with local health care partners.
“Our relationship with Castleview Hospital gives us versatile clinical experiences you don’t always get elsewhere,” he said.
Faculty perspectives reinforce the program’s mission of meaningful mentorship and individualized support. Mireya Ori, a USU Eastern alum and now a faculty member, said her path into nursing began with a passion for the human side of health care.
“I’ve always been drawn to the human side of health care — the combination of science, service and connection,” she said.
Teaching allows her to multiply the impact she once had as a bedside nurse.
“I chose USU Eastern because of its close-knit community, hands-on learning culture, and genuine commitment to student success,” she said. “This school truly feels like home.”
Nursing Program Director Laura Dotson felt drawn to nursing at a young age. She recalls reading Christy by Catherine Marshall, a story that inspired her with its compassion and dedication.
“After 18 years of nursing and direct patient care,” Dotson said, “I chose to return to the program where I earned my own nursing degree to help educate and support the next generation of nurses.”
Dotson said the statewide USU nursing programs — including Tooele, Moab, Blanding and Uintah Basin — share the same foundational strengths: small cohorts, personalized learning and meaningful faculty-student relationships.
“Our 1:10 faculty-to-student ratio allows instructors to truly know their students,” Dotson said. “We prioritize face-to-face instruction, which creates a learning environment where students feel connected, engaged and able to ask questions in real time.”
That personalized support has real impact. Ori said that the most rewarding moments often come long after students graduate.
“I have had many proud moments throughout my teaching career,” she said. “I always shed a tear when my students learn about a particular topic, go out and experience those exact scenarios soon after in real life, and then come back to me with their proud story saying, ‘Because of you, I knew exactly what to do in that situation.’”
One moment stands out vividly for her: “When I delivered my first child, I had multiple former students assist in the care that my baby and I received. It wasn’t about the technology or the facility — it was the way those nurses, former students, took care of us and made us feel.
USU Eastern’s curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning from the very beginning. Students start in the skills lab, advance into high-fidelity simulation experiences and ultimately transition into real-world clinical placements.
“By the time they graduate, students have already managed patient care, worked with interdisciplinary teams, and built true clinical confidence across several different care areas,” Ori said.
Faculty remain clinically active to ensure the curriculum stays aligned with the rapidly evolving health care landscape. Dotson said that students are trained using modern equipment, real-time best practices, and current health care standards.
“We bring the most up-to-date technologies, policies, and patient care approaches directly into the classroom,” Dotson said.
Beyond the classroom and clinical settings, USU Eastern nursing students are deeply involved in community service — participating in vaccination clinics, health fairs, Head Start partnerships, Angel Tree programs, school-based health initiatives and more.
“This helps students see nursing as part of a larger community mission,” Ori said. “Serving your community as a nurse is one of the most transformative parts of the profession.”
The faculty themselves exemplify teamwork and compassion.
“We meet frequently — multiple times a day — to share ideas, coordinate learning objectives, and support one another,” Ori said.
When a faculty member faces a personal emergency, others immediately step in. The same care extends to students.
“We check in weekly and provide support for their mental health and well-being … even offering a food cupboard so students don’t go hungry while trying to learn.”
For those considering a career in nursing, Dotson and Ori share similar advice: embrace the journey with resilience and curiosity.
“Every nurse starts as a student,” Dotson said. “Growth happens one skill, one shift and one patient at a time. If you choose USU Eastern, you’ll join a program that supports you every step of the way.”