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From Customer Service to Community Service

Ryan Connole ’24 was a bar manager in Portland during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He found himself quickly unable to work because he was not deemed an "essential worker." This made him feel undervalued by society and he began to consider a new career.

“The pandemic showed just how fragile the service industry was in terms of financials, how much value the service industry workers had in society’s view and ultimately, how little help I could give to my employees as a bar manager,” Ryan said.

Ryan had always had a passion for helping people. Originally from Chula Vista, California, he moved to Portland, to attend Multnomah University. After graduating with a double major in Bible/theology and intercultural studies, he helped build a technical school in Uganda. This experience radically shifted his worldview.

“I learned that sometimes I couldn’t give anyone anything, but could merely be with them," he said.

So, when it came time for Ryan to find a new career path, he considered nursing – a job where he could work with and serve his community.

A degree that opened doors

Ryan chose to earn his nursing degree at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ for several key reasons: the short length of the Master’s Entry to Professional Nursing (MEPN) program, face-to-face classes and the strong reputation that ÃÛѨÊÓƵ had among health care professionals.

“I was one phone call away from signing for Concordia when I clicked on the email that had a link to whether ÃÛѨÊÓƵ had accepted me or not,” he said. “ÃÛѨÊÓƵ was my first choice.”

Helping those who need it most

Throughout his time at the ÃÛѨÊÓƵ School of Nursing, one area that has stood out has been addressing health care system disparities among marginalized communities.

“The answer has evolved in the last 16 months, but one aspect that has stayed constant is my desire to help those that have been/continually marginalized by the health care system,” he said.

Ryan is not only focused on providing care but wants to actively participate in improving the entire system. He speaks highly of his educational experience and credits ÃÛѨÊÓƵ’s professors for their hard work and dedication.

“Every professor, adjuncts as well, gave so much of themselves to teach us,” he said.

He believes that education doesn’t just give students new careers. It also ignites a passion for learning which people can use to positively change the world around them. With a career starting at Providence Portland Medical Center, Ryan knows there will be challenges. However, he remains positive about the quality of his education.

"I really want to be a good nurse,” he said. “That was always my original goal, and it still is.”