2013 Livermore High School alum and Pedrozzi Scholar, Nikita Bhakta, recalls her nursing courses through the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program as one of her favorite high school experiences and the reason she chose nursing as her college focus. While at Livermore High School, Nikita’s involvement with the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club helped her realize that she loved to volunteer – a fact that plays into her long-term career goals.
Nikita chose Las Positas College commenting that “it was important to work my way through college knowing I could complete nursing prerequisites at a lower cost.” Receiving her AA Degree in Biology/Allied Health was a great accomplishment for this first-in-family college student. Nikita’s educational goal is to earn a BS degree in nursing, followed by a MS degree in nursing to complete her path to becoming a nurse practitioner. Her plan is to work in a hospital emergency room department or critical care unit, and with her passion for giving back, her ultimate goal is to work as a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders.
Nikita has been accepted into the CSU, Channel Island nursing program and is awaiting responses from other undergraduate colleges. So, for now, Nikita’s says her European backpacking dream trip will wait until after she’s completed her nursing program, “visiting the Anne Frank House is on my bucket list.”