Nebraska Methodist College student’s ‘why’ changes after breast cancer diagnosis

During orientation at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), students are asked to share why they’re pursuing health care careers.

For Savannah Peters, who graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, NMC is where she discovered that her “why” matters.

Peters initially pursued nursing simply to make a difference. But after a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment during her senior year, her perspective changed.

“I was working on the oncology floor at Methodist Hospital, and I questioned whether I should continue at the pace I was going,” she said. “But I looked at my patients' situations. I knew I could do this for them and future patients. Knowing that I would be in a position to help others and being faced with similar situations made it worth pushing through the challenges.”

Peters focused on her new “why” on hard days, and she leaned on the support of family, friends, faculty and her nurses.

“The NMC faculty had my back,” she said during her commencement speech. “Not only with school, but with my well-being. Without their encouragement and support, I wouldn’t have had the strength to stay in the nursing program.”

Peters is now on the medical oncology team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The path to a health care career looks different for everyone, and NMC faculty strives to provide students with the personalized support they need. NMC is where students matter.

NMC offers degrees in nursing, allied health and health care management. Whether you’re seeking certificates or associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, NMC has a career path for you.