Stronger Together: A Sisterhood Built Through Nursing at UTEP

 

Stronger Together: A Sisterhood Built Through Nursing at UTEP

For sisters Samantha and Bianca Sierra, nursing is more than a career; it is a shared calling that has strengthened their bond and shaped their goals. Samantha is a UTEP alumna building her career in critical care, while Bianca is a current undergraduate student developing the discipline and resilience that nursing school demands.

Samantha graduated at just 19 and credits UTEP’s supportive environment and mentorship for her success. She was active in the Texas Nursing Students’ Association, served as an officer and class representative, completed more than 100 hours of community service and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau. One of her favorite experiences was attending the National Student Nurses’ Association conference in Orlando, Florida, where she connected with peers from across the country and participated in NCLEX prep workshops.

“UTEP nursing was incredibly supportive throughout my journey, and it gave me the opportunity to grow as a student a leader and a future nurse,” Samantha said.

Now a registered nurse at University Medical Center in the Intensive Care Unit, Samantha holds her Critical Care Registered Nurse certification and is focused on continuous learning. She hopes to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice in nurse anesthesia and, along with Bianca, hopes to serve in the Air Force.

For Bianca, nursing school has been both challenging and rewarding. She is a Terry Scholar and has taken part in community service through Rescue Runners, the Kelly Center and other organizations. She says volunteering has helped her grow personally and professionally while giving back to the El Paso community.

Her academic experiences have been equally meaningful. Bianca says her Fundamentals of Nursing course was one of the most memorable because it was her first clinical placement in a nursing home. She enjoyed working directly with patients and says the experience reinforced her passion for nursing. She has also excelled in her coursework while learning how to manage the rigorous schedule and demands of nursing school.

“Through all the studying, exams and clinical experiences, I have learned the true meaning of discipline and hard work, and that has made me even more certain that nursing is where I’m meant to be,” Bianca said.

Bianca also values the guidance and support from Samantha. The sisters have always been close and share a love for volleyball. Nursing has strengthened that bond even more. Samantha offers advice and encouragement based on her experience, while Bianca provides fresh perspective and motivation.

Together, the sisters say having each other has been one of the most meaningful parts of their journey. They are each other’s biggest supporters and feel deeply grateful for the opportunities, family and UTEP education that have brought them to where they are today.