From the moment she meets someone, Halle Nelson’s heart is “on fire” for them. That instinctive empathy, shaped by personal loss and a close-knit family, has guided her toward a career in nursing and a life of service.
“I see the good in people right away,” she shares. “I lost my brother, grandma, and grandpa all in one year. Seeing the care they received was life changing. It showed me how powerful good healthcare can be, and I want to be part of that difference.”
Nelson’s journey began early. As a high school junior, she enrolled in Normandale’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program, earning 32 college credits before graduation. That head start allowed her to dive into prerequisites and enter the nursing program as a sophomore.
“Normandale is so accommodating and kind. It’s pretty awesome to have a school that’s rooting for you. I love that it’s on a smaller scale, my professors really focus on me and my learning.”
She’s found inspiration in the nursing faculty, who bring both clinical experience and deep compassion to the classroom. “They’re all nurses themselves, they get us, and they’re in the same spot we want to be in.”
Nelson’s path has also been shaped by the De Oliveira Nursing Scholarship, which she says has lifted a major burden. “It’s truly a privilege,” Nelson says. “I can focus more on my nursing skills and who I’m becoming as a nurse, and less on financial stress.”
She hopes donors know the depth of their impact. “It’s impacting lives in the most loving and kind way.” Looking ahead, Halle is excited about Normandale’s upcoming Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare, opening in August 2026. “It’s going to bring together the healthcare family. It helps you build relationships and gain perspectives on working alongside other professionals. It pushes you to be the best version of a nurse you can be.”
With empathy as her guide and support behind her, Halle is well on her way to becoming the kind of nurse every patient hopes to meet.
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