Student Profile: Michelle Bustamante

Michelle Bustamante is a Santa Fe, New Mexico native who moved to Michigan 10 years ago. The non-traditional student is currently studying nursing at Kalamazoo Valley and previously graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2015 with degrees in Spanish and anthropology. She also played soccer for Kalamazoo College.

After earning her bachelor’s degrees, Bustamante said she “hit a crossroads” and decided not to take on more student loan debt by earning a master’s degree. Instead, she took a brief hiatus and worked as a bartender before enrolling at Kalamazoo Valley.

“I’ve always been interested in helping people but I just couldn’t figure out the right angle,” she said. Helping her Dad with her ailing grandfather’s care when she was in ninth grade spurred her interest in the health career field. While she was working at Kalamazoo Valley’s Food Innovation Center, a coworker helped her make a plan to continue with her studies. Bustamante said biochemist Tip Maddux “was amazing and really got me back in the mode. I learned a lot about plants from her and a lot about life.”

Bustamante is currently in her fourth semester at Kalamazoo Valley and is scheduled to graduate in May. She works part-time as a patient care assistant in the general surgical unit at Bronson Hospital. “Seeing a variety of patients is really interesting to me,” she said. “I enjoy people when they’re happy and also when they’re not in a good place. It’s really gratifying to see that transition.”

She also found it uplifting to be the recipient of the college’s Judy Sullivan Nursing Scholarship. “I had become very used to being in debt,” Bustamante said. “Receiving the scholarship just takes such as load of added stress off. It’s definitely nice to have that stress alleviated. In terms of self-esteem, it was a really nice pick-me-up.”

And while the shift to online learning has presented unique challenges, Bustamante said Kalamazoo Valley’s instructors have been encouraging and engaged throughout her studies. “The instructors have a special kind of investment in their students,” she said. “If they can see that you’re engaged and want to do well, then they want to help you to be successful. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Bustamante marvels at how much she has progressed as nursing student. During her first patient simulation in class, she remarked that she hated the role playing practice sessions, a comment that caught her instructor’s attention. “Now I really enjoy the simulations,” she said. “They really are applicable to the real world.” After graduation in May, she will transfer to Davenport University through the University Center at Kalamazoo Valley to finish her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Because she has very little time to herself outside of work and school, Bustamante has put a priority on self-care. “It’s important to have outlets and ways to relax and take time out for yourself,” she said. “It’s so important not to overwhelm yourself.” She gives credit to her sister and her fiancé who are very supportive and help to keep her encouraged and moving forward. Her advice to other students is simple. “Find an interest and go for it. Stick it out and see it through. It’s ok to have some trepidation,” she said. “Accept that it’s ok not to know everything right away. The world has a way of guiding you. At least that’s how it worked out in my life.”