By Pareasa Rahimi
Every student’s journey to becoming a nurse looks different. Meet three who bring their unique experiences from serving others to the field of nursing.
Donald Diltz, MSN, RN (MSN 2023)
At 77 years old, Donald Diltz, MSN, RN (MSN 2023), has been an educator, a Peace Corps volunteer and a business executive. But even after earning multiple degrees and certifications in other fields, Diltz decided that it wasn’t too late to start a new journey—to become a nurse.
“It’s very important to keep finding new ways to keep the edge sharp,” Diltz said. “I’ve really focused on always learning. It’s something that keeps me motivated and excited.”
Diltz was in Colombia volunteering with the Peace Corps in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. When he was evacuated and returned home, he had some time to think about what he wanted to do next and how he could continue to serve others.
“I decided I didn’t want to stay home and watch television—I knew that for sure,” Diltz said. “I feel that I’m a blessed person and have had a wonderful life with so many opportunities. Teachings in spirituality are quite clear that you can only expect to continue with that if you help other people.”
Having always been interested in human and health services, Diltz set his sights on the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing’s Accelerated Masters in Nursing Pathway—a pathway that allows those with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields to become nurses.
“This pathway was just made for me,” Diltz said. “It’s the best educational program I’ve been in, and I’ve been in some great ones. It has been even more than I dreamed of.”
While initially uncertain of what to expect as the oldest student in his cohort, Diltz has formed tight-knit friendships with other students as they’ve spent the past three semesters learning and growing together.
“As a senior, I wasn’t entirely sure how I would be accepted with so many younger people, but we’ve all supported each other throughout the year, working together in labs, clinicals, through tests and studying. Beyond that, we’re friends,” Diltz said.
Diltz wants those thinking about pursuing a different path or making a career change to know that it’s never too late to try something new.
“When I thought about trying to become a nurse, I was overwhelmed because I knew there would be a big hurdle and I just wasn’t sure I was up for it,” Diltz said. “Here we are, one year later, undergoing an intense education, and I’ll be sitting for the NCLEX in a month. I would encourage anybody to just give it a try.”
Diltz graduated in fall 2023 and accepted an internship with UAB Medicine, which allowed him to work in and learn about different units. He plans to get at least two years of experience as a bedside nurse before exploring leadership opportunities.
“This pathway was just the beginning of becoming a great nurse,” Diltz said. “There are things I haven’t done, and this internship will allow me to test the waters to decide what direction I want to go.”
Ryan Pruitt, BSN, RN (BSN 2024)
Alumnus Ryan Pruitt, BSN, RN (BSN 2024), was a cadet in UAB’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps as a nursing student, balancing a full schedule of classes, clinicals and training.
“One of the big things that ROTC made me a pro at is waking up early,” Pruitt said. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting the job done. You have to have a present mind and focus your attention on it.”
That discipline and drive brought Pruitt to the UAB School of Nursing. He first became interested in the nursing profession after receiving encouragement from a health care class teacher at his high school in Kennesaw, Ga., and after shadowing students at a local nursing school.
“I realized I could see myself in the role caring for patients and getting to know them,” Pruitt said. “I love serving people and that is what has been instilled in me by my parents and through my faith. At the core, a nurse is willing to do whatever they can for patients and to serve others.”
The top-ranked BSN program initially drew Pruitt to UAB, as well as the flexibility for students to be involved in other activities, like ROTC. Pruitt credited his cohort and UAB support for encouraging him along the way.
“The faculty and my cadre at my battalion were super helpful,” Pruitt said. “You really find your second family or family away from family in nursing school.”
Since graduating spring 2024, Pruitt commissioned into the United States Army Nurse Corps, bringing his training from the UABSON and the ROTC together.
“That’s big in the Army world—completing the mission. As a nurse, the mission is taking care of the patient,” Pruitt said. “When you’re a nurse, you must have attention to detail because you have somebody’s life in your hands. In ROTC, you’re being trained to be a second lieutenant in the Army and you’re going to have the lives of the sons and daughters of America in your hands.”
Pruitt plans to return to school to earn a master’s degree in nursing education and one day, hopes to teach.
Abby Hill, BSN Student
Community service has been a fundamental component of fourth semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing student Abby Hill’s upbringing. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Blount County, Ala., Hill is always on standby to support members of her community. Hill has deep roots in the fire department, with both parents having served as volunteer firefighters and EMTs, and she, alongside her brother, now report to their fire chief father.
“We are on call 24/7 and respond to fires, medical emergencies, trees that have fallen across the road, just about anything,” Hill said. “We all work together to make sure our community is taken care of and we do community outreach. We have built ramps for people, helped fix driveways, trimmed trees, you name it.”
Hill has carried her commitment to helping others into nursing following in the footsteps of her mother, a nurse practitioner at the Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital. She also found inspiration in her grandfather.
“I grew up taking care of him, bringing him food, water, helping him transfer to his wheelchair and into bed. He always told me I’d make a great nurse, and that has always been my plan because I loved taking care of him,” Hill said. “Seeing my mom’s passion for nursing and how much she really loves her patients also played a part.”
Hill’s experience as a volunteer firefighter and EMT prepared her for many of her simulation and clinical experiences in nursing school.
“You never know what you’re walking into with firefighting. We can go there expecting one thing, only for it to turn into something completely different. Things can change so fast. I think that’s prepared me for the simulations,” Hill said. “My time in EMS also has helped me be calmer in clinical situations because I’m used to the unexpected.”
Hill is on track to graduate spring 2025. She also hopes to earn a paramedic license as well as a flight certification.
“I cannot wait until graduation, not just to be done with classes but to have an achievement that I’ve worked so hard to reach,” Hill said. “Nursing school is not easy, so for me, graduating with my BSN would mean that I’ve made myself and my family proud and that I've reached my goals and dreams.”
