Haleigh Zanoni of Machesney Park, Ill., was introduced to Viterbo when she received a phone call from the V-Hawks softball coach inviting her to enroll at the university and join the team. After visiting campus, Zanoni didn’t need any more convincing.

“I instantly fell in love with the campus, and the nursing program sold me on the school,” said Zanoni, who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “It’s been a great four years and if I had to do it all over again, I would make the same decision.”

Majoring in nursing because she wanted to help people and work in the field of health care, Zanoni has been impressed by the Nursing Center facility and the high-tech simulation labs. She also appreciates Viterbo’s small class sizes and the relationships she has with her nursing professors.

One of the best parts of her nursing education has come at clinical assignments in the neonatal ICU and adult healthcare units at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where she was able to enhance her skills and learn from nurse practitioners and other health professionals.

When Zanoni isn’t busy with her academic pursuits or realizing her dream of being a collegiate athlete by playing first base for the V-Hawks, she works as a patient care technician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

“I have learned a lot about patient care at the job,” she said. “It’s been a really good experience.”

Zanoni also enjoys spending time with her teammates and friends, hiking, reading, shopping, hammocking in the bluffs, or exploring downtown La Crosse.

Unlike many college students, Zanoni doesn’t have to worry anymore about landing her first job. She has already accepted a position as an RN in the neuro ICU at UW-Health in Madison after she graduates.

“Nursing offers so many opportunities,” Zanoni said. “My goal is to eventually become a nurse practitioner.”