Madeline Lane, a nursing student in the Graduate Entry Pathway to Doctor of Nursing Practice program, serves as co-president for the Graduate Student Nursing Organization (GSNO). She plans to become an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and is passionate about connecting with others and serving diverse groups.
“Being a nurse means being unconditionally there for your patients,” said Lane. “It means providing care at the bedside, answering patient questions at home and beyond. We are there to teach and support people.”
Lane studied at Bowdoin College in Maine, where she played women’s ice hockey, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and completed a minor in education.
“I’ve always been passionate about teaching; it’s something I hope to do in the future and work closely with other nurses,” she said. “Nursing is truly the perfect marriage between science, clinical skills in medicine and education. We are truly educators by trade.”
In her first year at UMass Medical School, Lane participated in the Student Government Alliance, and was nominated to the role of co-president of the GSNO by her classmates. The mission of the organization is to foster communication between students, faculty and the community and organizing service-based initiatives.
“I made it a point this past year to put myself out there as a representative for the GSN,” said Lane. “The GSNO is finding what is most important to our fellow students while navigating separation due to the pandemic. We are actively working on a project to get involved with the incoming GEP class, as well as a mentor-mentee program. Our goal is to make their transition smoother.”
Lane is passionate about connecting with others and serving diverse groups. She participated in the online “Zoomathon” fundraiser held in April that raised thousands of dollars for the DCU field hospital that was set up in Worcester at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That was a turning point for me because it helped me realize how much my fellow classmates and peers care about the overall wellbeing of students and beyond,” said Lane. “We’re living in a time where we need communication, partnership and engagement. I truly enjoyed being involved with such an important cause, entirely put on by students for students.”
Lane credits the collaborative environment at UMMS that fosters relationships between students, faculty and hospital staff.
“We are a part of such an innovative team, working on projects that go above and beyond,” she said. “This Graduate School of Nursing is not only part of a medical school, it’s attached right to our clinical partner hospital. It’s rooted in a community that I knew I was going to learn a lot from and gain important clinical skills for my future.”
The Student Spotlight series features students in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Nursing and School of Medicine. Do you know an interesting student who should be included? Email UMassMed News at UMassChanCommunications@umassmed.edu.
