Syracuse Nursing Student Has the Heart for Healthcare

PICTURE ABOVE: Nicole Kunzmann in the Meccariello Center for Experiential Learning at St. Joseph’s Health College of Nursing

Twice a week, Nicole Kunzmann drives 10 minutes from her Northside home to St. Joseph’s Health Hospital. By 7 a.m., the Le Moyne College and St. Joseph’s dual enrollment student is ready for a day of hands-on nursing education. She has gained experience in various departments, including medical/surgical, cardiac, obstetric, oncology, gastroenterology, the outpatient clinic, and the operating room.

“They ensure we are well-prepared for all experiences,” Kunzmann said. A Henninger High School graduate, she will become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree from St. Joseph’s in 2025 and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Le Moyne in 2026.

Her passion for nursing started early, inspired by her grandmother, an operating room nurse. The Heart of Healthcare Nursing Scholarship, created to address the local nursing shortage post-COVID-19, is helping her pursue this dream. 

This scholarship fund, established by Onondaga County in partnership with the Community Foundation and the Allyn Family Foundation, removes financial barriers and encourages diversity, ultimately enhancing health equity. Scholarships were provided to first-year nursing students enrolled in local programs.

In announcing the scholarship at his 2023 State of the County address, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon highlighted the local nurse shortage, emphasizing the urgent need for action. “We know we need to act and act now,” he said. “Nurses serve as the front line of any medical facility, and it is our nurses that provide that calm and compassion many need during the stress of a medical visit.”

Kunzmann is uncertain about her nursing specialty but knows she wants to work in a hospital. Her grandmother’s stories and work ethic were significant influences. The pandemic reinforced her desire to become a nurse and help solidify her career path.

The dual-degree format and Heart of Healthcare scholarship made the Le Moyne-St. Joseph’s program ideal for her. Additionally, as a Say Yes Syracuse scholar, she receives grants that help cover tuition. “Avoiding debt and staying local were important factors,” she said. “Not worrying about finances has alleviated my stress and opened up further educational opportunities.”

At St. Joseph’s, she feels fully supported, saying, “If you are willing to put in the work, you can do it.”

During the 2023-2024 academic school year, a total of $1,404,768 from the Heart of Healthcare Scholarship fund was distributed to 114 students.