Youngest nursing grad ever at WNC makes dreams come true quickly

In the 35 years that Western Nevada College has been offering an associate degree in nursing program, there hasn’t been a graduate as young as Morgan Tingle.

She will graduate with her Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing at the age of 19 on Monday, May 22. She also was the youngest admitted into the program as a 17-year-old two years ago.

“I think being a younger student in the program gives me a different perspective than the majority of nursing students,” Tingle said. “It shows my passion about my profession. It means I have more time to experience nursing as a career and to advance my skills. It also gives me many years and opportunities to further my profession in nursing.”

Tingle’s unparalleled accomplishment has made her appreciate who has helped her reach this point and triggered excitement about the people she can help in the future.

“I have grown so much personally and professionally since the beginning of the program and I have acquired so many practical nursing skills,” she said. “I am so grateful for the knowledgeable and caring instructors who have encouraged me and pushed me to get to where I am today, as well as my scholarship donors who have supported me. I am grateful to my fellow students who support and push each other to study and succeed. I am so excited to begin making a difference in the community and people’s lives.”

Tingle identified a professional career that excited her and matched her interests by the time she was 13. From baby-sitting she learned that she loved spending time with children and caring for babies. When she excelled in biology and anatomy classes in middle school and high school, she realized that nursing would be the perfect calling for her.

“I decided to become a nurse so I could make a difference in others’ lives,” Tingle said.

WNC's Jump Start College hastened Tingle's nursing school plans by allowing her to take the prerequisite classes during her senior year at Carson High School.

Judith Cordia, director and division chair of WNC's Nursing & Allied Health Department, was impressed by Tingle’s credentials coming into the program.

"Morgan was admitted into the nursing program because she met the qualifications, which are rigorous," Cordia said. "She followed her dream, stayed focused and proved that these are essentials that pave the way to success.
"The faculty and I realized what a special opportunity this was for Morgan and welcomed the challenge to provide her with an education as the cornerstone for all of her future educational endeavors."

As she has progressed through WNC’s nursing program, Tingle has personally experienced what attracted her to the program in the first place.

“The most rewarding part of the nursing program has been having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others,” Tingle said. “Some days it can be something small like putting a smile on a patient’s face; other days it can be the feeling of awe after making someone's heart beat again when you weren't so sure if they were going to make it.”

Tingle’s accelerated higher education pace hasn’t slowed by any means. While enrolled in WNC’s nursing program, she took a class during fall and spring semesters at the University of Nevada, Reno, to move closer to a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

“Since I have completed some of the classes during nursing school, I only have nine more classes left in the RN to BSN program,” Tingle said. “I will finish these classes while I work as a registered nurse (RN) at Carson Tahoe Hospital. I expect to obtain my bachelor’s degree in December of 2018.”

Through her clinical experiences, Tingle became enamored with the personnel at Carson Tahoe Hospital.
“I enjoyed Carson Tahoe Hospital's environment the best. I valued the teamwork demonstrated on each unit and I wanted to be a part of this team,” she said.

Tingle and her nursing classmates will celebrate their graduation with a pinning ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, May 19 at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. in Carson City.