Broadening perspectives: Adrianna Dahlberg's path to fulfillment

“You really see people in their most vulnerable moments, and I find helping patients get through those times to be valuable and rewarding.”

Adrianna Dahlberg, from Two Harbors, Minnesota, decided to spend her life helping others by pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing. She explained, “After doing some self-searching, I found I enjoy helping people and being there for people in their darkest times.”

Passions and involvement

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offered Dahlberg both an excellent nursing program and the opportunity to continue her lifelong passion for music in its prestigious choral ensembles. Dahlberg explained, “I’ve always participated in music throughout my life and I didn’t want to stop in college.”

Dahlberg is proud of her ability to balance her academic and extracurricular activities over the past four years. As someone who typically puts her all into everything she does, she expressed, "I learned that to be involved in multiple things, I had to spread out that commitment and effort.”

One area she dedicated her time to was the Eau Claire Student Nurses Association, serving as fundraising coordinator and vice president. This program exposes pre-nursing and admitted nursing students to the different areas of the profession they can get into. As a nursing student ambassador, she led tours and participated in student panels, sharing insights on UWEC’s nursing program and student life. Additionally, Dahlberg interned with the Wisconsin Area Health Education Centers Community Health Program, where she worked on projects to improve community health, including managing the farmers market in Chippewa Falls to help low-income families access healthy food while supporting Chippewa Valley produce farmers.

She has also been able to stay involved with music, singing in the Concert Choir and Women’s Concert Chorale. Through this involvement, she’s gotten to connect with Dr. Frank Watkins, director of choral studies and associate professor of choral music education. He has become a great resource for Dahlberg, who is thankful for his flexibility with her "tricky" nursing schedule. She also served as president of the Lutheran Student Association, enriching her campus leadership experience.

Dahlberg is grateful for how these experiences pushed her to “step out of my comfort zone and broaden my worldview.”

Cosby Honors College experience

The Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College at UWEC has had a lasting impact on Dahlberg. Her freshman year in the Honors Living and Learning Community exposed her to a diverse academic environment, and she appreciated the opportunity to take courses outside of her nursing major. “Honors gave me a break to explore different fields and hear perspectives I hadn’t considered,” she said. Her honors course on global health in particular expanded her thinking and deepened her interest in healthcare issues.

She fondly remembers late-night study sessions in the Honors Commons with friends, where they used giant whiteboards to study together. This time proved to be valuable, as Dahlberg said, “You have to build the knowledge before you can use the knowledge,” and the Honors Commons was her favorite place to do just that.

As an Honors 100 mentor, Dahlberg learned valuable leadership and perspective skills. Dahlberg is grateful for the opportunity to build leadership skills by directing, leading and stimulating the discussion amongst freshmen. Additionally, Dahlberg says, “Being a senior in a classroom with a bunch of first-years was a really eye-opening experience to see how much my perspective has shifted over the past four years.” She felt it was a rewarding experience to guide these new students and give them that push of encouragement to get involved on campus.

Looking ahead

After graduation, Dahlberg will work with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She will work in their Infusion Therapy Center and be part of the nurse residency program for new graduates. Dahlberg says, “I’m thrilled to be starting my career with Mayo Clinic and to begin a new chapter in Rochester, Minnesota!”