For Mike, nursing is more than a profession. It’s a profound expression of presence, purpose and courage in the face of life’s most fragile moments. An LA native, Mike’s path into nursing was guided by family, shaped by personal loss and fueled by unforgettable encounters that redefined what it means to truly care.
Mike didn’t begin his journey with a clear goal. It was his younger sister who first charted the course into nursing school. But it was when his mother was diagnosed with cancer that crystallized his “why.”
“Nursing's really empowering. It empowers me to not be just a reactive bystander. Not only am I empowered at work to help complete strangers, I'm also empowered to help those immediately around me.”
The experience taught him the value of presence and the importance of being an active force rather than a passive witness in the lives of others.
Mike’s most defining moment in nursing wasn’t in a classroom or textbook; it was watching a supervisor spend hours de-escalating a hostile patient armed with a box cutter. The encounter, almost surreal in its intensity, taught Mike a lesson that no lecture could convey: empathy can save lives.
“I remember my supervisor... he used his role as a nurse to empathize with the patient. You don’t learn that in nursing school.”
This moment didn’t just inspire; it transformed Mike’s understanding of nursing. It showed him that real strength lies not in control, but in compassion—and that true care means stepping in when it’s hard, speaking up when it matters and acting now, because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
He’s not only empowered to care for strangers. He’s inspired to show up for his own loved ones with the same urgency and intention. For Mike, it’s not just about adding days to a life, it’s about making sure every moment left truly matters. This ethos shapes both his practice and his outlook. Mike reminds us that nursing isn’t just about healing, it’s about living with purpose, acting with empathy and valuing every fleeting moment.
