Hannah Johnston, a College of Science student, pursuing dual majors in Biology and Nursing. From an early age, Hannah Johnston's eyes were set on a medical career nurtured by a desire to help others. However, as she progressed through her undergraduate years, doubts began to surface, leading her to question whether medicine was the right path for her. She will graduate in the Fall of 2025 with a dual nursing and biology degree. This native of Fayetteville, Tennessee, felt the call to healthcare from a young age. Inspired by her father's journey at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) for his engineering degree, she decided to attend the same institution, also drawn by the school's solid pre-health reputation and scholarship opportunities. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges and opportunities for reflection. Due to restrictions, Johnston was limited from exploring healthcare fields firsthand, which led her to question her career path. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, diving into shadowing experiences when restrictions eased. As she approached her senior year of college, she realized her initial aspirations of becoming a surgeon were incompatible with her homemaking dream, so she reevaluated her career goals and considered alternative paths within healthcare. Navigating the complexities of academic and personal growth, Johnston decided to major in biology, later adding a nursing major. Alongside her educational pursuits, she actively engaged in various opportunities to explore different facets of healthcare, including shadowing experiences and academic research. These experiences and mentorship from faculty and healthcare professionals played a crucial role in shaping her evolving career aspirations. "Microbiology was my favorite class from my biology classes, and I am still very interested in it," she says. Her career interests in nursing include becoming a wound care nurse or working in the ICU or OR before going to graduate school. She has other hobbies like painting with watercolor/acrylics, crocheting, nature photography, and spending time outside on her family's farm. Her commitment to assisting her peers is evident in her roles as a nursing ambassador and Pre-health peer advisor at the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office. She offers invaluable support and guidance to students pursuing similar paths through these positions. The Pre-Health Professions Advising office at the College of Science provides personalized guidance, workshops, and networking opportunities, aiding students in exploring diverse healthcare careers. As she looks toward the future, Johnston remains open to exploring different specialties within nursing, driven by her unwavering passion for healing and serving others.
