What I’m Doing This Summer: Catherine Rivera ’24

What are you doing this summer?

I recently completed my capstone, which is the last semester in the nursing program where we complete 156 clinical hours. For my capstone I worked in the surgical hematology-oncology unit at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. I worked 12-hour shifts, two or three days a week for six weeks, and cared for patients with various types of cancers and hematological diseases.

How did you find this position?

Last spring semester I expressed my interest in completing my capstone at Stanford. Dr. Lisa Sabatini and Dr. Mary Lou De Natale recommended I do my capstone there in summer. Thankfully, I was able to land a capstone there in summer instead of in fall, because of the smaller class sizes and extra focus from clinical instructors in summer. Growing up, I would wait in the lobby for my mom to get off work when she was a nurse at Stanford a long time ago. This memory motivated me to complete my capstone there and hopefully follow in my mother’s footsteps.

What attracted you to USF?

When I was looking into nursing schools, I learned that USF nursing is highly ranked. But what stood out to me in particular was USF’s clinical rotations and locations — they have relationships with some of the best hospitals, including magnet hospitals like Stanford and UCSF. I knew that if I could dip my toes in one of these hospitals and see what the workflow is like, it would help me decide where I’d like to work in the future. Going into this capstone I knew almost nothing about oncology and hematology. I ended up falling in love. I’m honored to care for these patients. My mother had breast cancer when I was in high school, so it’s sort of a full circle being able to give back to the cancer population, and this capstone has influenced me to pursue a career in oncology and hematology.

What’s your advice to students just starting out at USF?

Follow your interests, whatever they are. In your major, look for something that can help guide you to finding a specialty — in nursing, it might be an experience you’ve had or a family member who was sick — and use that as fuel to find something that you’re truly passionate about. And outside of academics, put yourself out there. At USF I was part of the jiu jitsu club team. I played volleyball. I landed a job in social media that was completely opposite of my major, but I found community and I found something that I love outside of nursing. I came into USF wanting the whole college experience, so I got to attend amazing events and meet people who I wouldn’t normally meet. I think finding passions and interests outside of your major is actually a great way to grow as a student.

Your three favorite spots in the city?

One, the Saturday farmers market at the Ferry Building. Two, the Tunnel Tops in the Presidio. Whenever my classmates and I had a break between classes, we’d go to the Tunnel Tops. If we spent 20 minutes getting there and only five minutes looking at the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, it was worth it. Three, Taqueria Los Mayas on Clement Street. It’s the best food ever.