Most graduates have family members attend their graduation ceremony.
But there was an extra special relative present at Cassidy Snow Andrusyszyn’s commencement.
It was her grandmother, Louise Salamin, who was one of the speakers at the event and
from whom she received her nursing pin.
Andrusyszyn earned her associate degree from WCC’s accredited nursing program in December.
Her grandmother earned her associate nursing degree over 40 years ago as a member
of WCC’s fi rst graduating class from its then-newly established associate nursing
degree program.
Salamin had aspired to be a nurse since she was a child, but marrying young and having
children put her nursing education on hold. Years later when she made the decision
to return to college, she didn’t have the budget or time to attend a four-year nursing
program. “Because it was so convenient, affordable and less time consuming, I chose
to attend Washtenaw’s licensed practical nurse program,” explained Salamin.
Salamin was nearly finished with her LPN program when WCC launched its associate registered
nursing program. She leapt at the chance to expand her education and skills, going
on to earn her bachelor’s in nursing from Eastern Michigan University and master of
science in administration with a healthcare focus from Central Michigan University
after receiving her second degree from Washtenaw. She worked at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare
System and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital until she retired. Salamin continues to work
parttime at Michigan Medicine.
Andrusyszyn had initially wanted to be a teacher, but her grandma’s advice changed
her mind. “Grandma Louise wanted all of us to go into the medical field. She said
that nursing would give us limitless opportunities. She was hardworking. Family came
first, but work was a close second.”
When Andrusyszyn was nearly halfway through her program, her family suffered a number
of tragic losses. She had wanted to quit school, but recalled her grandmother’s determination
to continue her own education while being a single mother. “I reminded myself that
Grandma had done this while raising three kids,” said Andrusyszyn. “She wouldn’t let
me quit. She said, ‘you have to do this, and one day you’ll save somebody’s life.’”
Andrusyszyn considers her grandma’s phone calls, dinners and visits as instrumental
to her graduation. From the stage at Washtenaw Community College’s nurse pinning ceremony,
Salamin shared her nursing experience and appreciation for how WCC prepared her for
her career. She praised her granddaughter after personally pinning her, saying, “Cassidy,
I am so very pleased with your choices, tenacity and accomplishments. You make me
so very proud.”
Now equipped with her degree, Andrusyszyn is looking for employment. She plans to
pursue her bachelor of science in nursing degree and eventually become a certified
registered nurse anesthetist.
Cassidy thinks it is a good omen that the World Health Organization has dubbed 2020
as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honor of Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday.
She added that Nightingale, the “Lady with the Lamp,” was not only the founder of
modern nursing, but also of today’s modern pinning ceremony. Today, WCC nursing graduates
light their candles from one large candle. “It shows how our instructors passed their
knowledge on to us,” said Andrusyszyn, just as her grandma continues to do for her.
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