James Castro
James Castro
Class Year
’24
Hometown
Kenosha, Wis.
Major(s)
Nursing
Minor(s)
Business Administration
Career goal
“I’m hoping to jump right into being an ER nurse, hopefully at a trauma one center. After Carthage, I also hope to find a new home around the Chicago area where I can expand my career and become a flight nurse.”
How have Carthage faculty had an impact on your life or Carthage career?
“My relationship with the Carthage faculty has really made me bloom! I couldn’t have asked for a better nursing faculty; their wide experiences, from babies to deaths, have really expanded my knowledge of patient care. I am so glad I became so close to my nursing professors.”
Favorite class
“My favorite class has definitely been Pathophysiology. I love learning about the different types of diseases and the nursing process that goes along with such disorders. It ties pathology and pharmacology together.”
Toughest class
“My toughest class at Carthage has been anything accounting related. I chose business administration as a minor because that is my biggest weakness as a student, and the accounting field has most definitely defined that struggle. I give all my respect to those professors because that topic is extremely difficult to make enjoyable.”
Internships or on-campus employment
“I work three jobs, all related to my major! I work as an in-patient phlebotomist, an ER student nurse intern, and a nursing lab assistant. I enjoy all of them equally, from hanging out in a hospital lab drawing and testing blood, being in traumas and codes in the ER, and being a source of nursing info on campus!”
Favorite spot on campus
“My favorite spot on campus is just outside of the Straz building. I love studying by the lake when it is warm and being in the sun. It truly is a beautiful campus!”
What would your 8-year-old self think of you now?
“8-year-old James would be so proud of who he became! Growing up, I thought I did not want further education, but after discovering my passion in nursing and discovering who I can become, I’m sure my 8-year-old self would be amazed at what he will become.”
Why should other students consider your major? What advice do you have for them?
“I chose nursing over anything else because it truly is the most rewarding career! It can be a lot of hard work and stress, but the outcomes and words that patients give you can really make your day.”
Why Carthage?
“I chose the Carthage nursing program because of the amazing clinical opportunities they have even outside of Kenosha! I also have only good things to say about the nursing professors on campus, they really make the experience so much better!”