Jolarni Silvio
Alumnus: Class of June 2007, College of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus: West Palm Beach
Employment: Registered Nurse, St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach
Jolarni Silvio knew she was destined for the medical field.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Jolarni planned to attend medical school there until her family moved to the United States shortly after high school graduation. Instead she enrolled in South University’s nursing program in West Palm Beach and found it to be a great fit.
“An advantage of South University was the small group of students for each hospital rotation. Eight students per professor meant we received the necessary support and training.”
She selected labor and delivery as her specialty during a rotation at St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she completed her preceptorship following graduation in June 2007.
Jolarni’s faith sustained her when she didn’t pass the NCLEX exam on the first try. St. Mary’s offered to hire Jolarni after she retook the exam and they even beat her to the results. Jolarni passed on her second attempt and was hired immediately.
She said her most memorable nursing experience so far was being able to communicate with and treat a Spanish-speaking mother who had been struck by a car and airlifted to St. Mary’s. Humbly, the favorite part of Jolarni’s job is not being a hero—which she is—treating high-risk pregnancies, premature babies on an average of 300 babies per month.
“The most enjoyable part of my job is when I see a mom or dad crying when their baby is born, and they tell the nurse ‘thank you.’ Patients, doctors and other co-workers appreciating what I do and saying thanks is all I need right now.”