{"id":1579,"date":"2021-04-27T08:00:54","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T13:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/?p=1579"},"modified":"2021-10-15T17:02:17","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T22:02:17","slug":"turning-grief-into-determination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/turning-grief-into-determination\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning Grief into Determination"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/04\/KayleeBayer.jpg” title_text=”KayleeBayer” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

For most new college students, Move<\/span>–<\/span>In<\/span>\u00a0Day is full of excitement, exhilaration and\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>promise of new\u00a0<\/span>fulfilling adventures.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For\u00a0<\/span>2021\u00a0<\/span>Winona State University\u00a0<\/span>graduate\u00a0<\/span>Kaylee Bayer, that was not the case.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leading up to the\u00a0<\/span>big\u00a0<\/span>day<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>Bayer’s<\/span>\u00a0excitement\u00a0<\/span>at starting her journey of becoming a nurse\u00a0<\/span>quickly turned to worry<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>then\u00a0<\/span>to panic a<\/span>fter<\/span>\u00a0her mom\u00a0<\/span>was<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>hospitalized<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Becoming a nurse was always Bayer\u2019s dream, but s<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>found herself questioning whether\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>even\u00a0<\/span>go<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Baye<\/span>r<\/span>\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0mom,\u00a0<\/span>who\u00a0<\/span>was\u00a0<\/span>her\u00a0<\/span>most enthusiastic\u00a0<\/span>supporter<\/span>, had been hospitalized for\u00a0<\/span>a couple\u00a0<\/span>week<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0an<\/span>d her\u00a0<\/span>prognosis not coming back\u00a0<\/span>positive<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Bayer takes her role as the oldest sibling seriously and was hard pressed to be convinced to take a step forward<\/span>, but h<\/span>er father\u00a0<\/span>eventually\u00a0<\/span>gave her the push she needed to start her journey<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first weeks\u00a0<\/span>at WSU\u00a0<\/span>were a blur.\u00a0<\/span>She\u00a0<\/span>had to force herself to think of her stud<\/span>ies.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were<\/span>\u00a0times when I would fail a quiz because of everything I was dealing with,\u201d said Bayer. \u201cI kept it to myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

By<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>September<\/span>\u00a0of Bayer\u2019s freshman year<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>her<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mom had spent about six weeks at Mayo Clinic<\/span>\u00a0and doctors were<\/span>\u00a0n<\/span>o clos<\/span>er<\/span>\u00a0to answers.<\/span>\u00a0Bayer\u00a0<\/span>took comfort in knowing\u00a0<\/span>Mayo\u2019s world-renowned reputation<\/span>\u00a0and that her mother was in good hands.\u00a0<\/span>Little did she know, Bayer would one day be the hands providing the care\u00a0<\/span>at the same\u00a0<\/span>renowned<\/span>\u00a0hospital.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On her mom\u2019s birthday<\/span>\u00a0later that month<\/span>, Bayer got a call from her dad<\/span>\u00a0and t<\/span>he panic set back in<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy the time I got there they had determined there was nothing else they could do,\u201d Bayer said through tears.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bayer\u2019s mom made it through her birthday.\u00a0<\/span>But\u00a0<\/span>just barely. The next day\u00a0<\/span>Bayer\u00a0<\/span>sat with her mom, who used to be the life of every party,\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>nd<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>watched\u00a0<\/span>as her mom\u2019s chest would rise and fall with each remaining breath<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>until\u00a0<\/span>at one point\u00a0<\/span>it didn\u2019t rise again.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Jodi Saunders” job_title=”Child Advocacy Professor” company_name=”WSU” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

“Despite her grief, pain and shock, Kaylee did not leave school (and instead) became determined to become a nurse to help people like her mother and her family. Kaylee will graduate this spring in 4 years, on time, as a nurse — making her family, her mother, and me incredibly proud.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was gone,\u201d Bayer said.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bayer kept her pain to herself<\/span>. That was\u00a0<\/span>until<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Child Advocacy\u00a0<\/span>Professor Jodi Saunders<\/span>\u00a0asked for a meeting to talk about missing work<\/span>\u00a0and Bayer\u00a0opened up<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe is one of those people you can have a\u00a0<\/span>five-minute<\/span>\u00a0conversation with and if feels like you\u2019ve known her for years,\u201d Bayer said<\/span>, adding that Saunders would consistently check up on her and invite her to come talk.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cShe essentially became my counselor\/therapist.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the relationship grew and\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>impact Saunders made deepened<\/span>–even inviting her to holiday dinners <\/span>if she wasn\u2019t\u00a0<\/span>returning<\/span> home–<\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>lovingly<\/span>\u00a0gave her the nickname of being Bayer\u2019s \u201cWinona mom.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI lost my mother\u00a0<\/span>6 years ago<\/span>\u00a0and was devastated,\u201d Saunders wrote. \u201cI cannot fathom being a new freshman in a new place and handling everything as well as she did.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Spring semester of her freshman year<\/span>, Bayer\u2019s support system deepened.\u00a0<\/span>S<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>was invited to join a grieving group within the\u00a0<\/span>WSU\u00a0<\/span>counseling services<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0f<\/span>or the first time since she came to WSU,\u00a0<\/span>Bayer went from feeling\u00a0<\/span>detached\u00a0<\/span>to feeling<\/span>\u00a0completely<\/span>\u00a0supported on campus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the best decision I ever made,\u201d Bayer said.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As time went on, her grief turned into determination to make a difference as a nurse.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>n\u00a0<\/span>Bayer\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>sophomore<\/span>\u00a0year she\u00a0<\/span>was accepted\u00a0<\/span>into the nursing program at WSU-Rochester, giving her an opportunity to do her clinical rotations at<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mayo Clinic<\/span>—<\/span>in the same building her mom was in.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Kaylee Bayer” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

“That was an adjustment to go back into that building, hear the same sounds, smell the same smells, go through the same elevator. I reminded myself why I was there…and that I was going to be able to help.”<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During her 120 hours of c<\/span>apstone\u00a0<\/span>work<\/span>\u00a0with assigned\u00a0<\/span>nurse<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0Keeley Laughlin,<\/span>\u00a0Bayer stepped closer to\u00a0<\/span>fulfilling her dream<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>J<\/span>ust this last month, she took another s<\/span>tep\u00a0<\/span>that brought her full circle to the reason she was passionate\u00a0<\/span>about<\/span>\u00a0mak<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0a difference.\u00a0<\/span>Laughlin\u00a0<\/span>asked if she<\/span>\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0consider going back to the ICU unit<\/span>\u00a0her mom was in<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>to Bayer\u2019s own astonishment\u00a0<\/span>she\u00a0<\/span>agreed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got on the same elevator and my heart was racing,\u201d Bayer said. \u201cI was doing really good and then I got to the part where there was one of the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>rooms<\/span>\u00a0she was in.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bayer walked into the room<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 taking deep breaths along the way.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bayer<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>who will continue to work at Mayo after graduation<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>said someday\u00a0<\/span>s<\/span>he would need to face the ICU again and this time someone\u2019s life would be in her hands.\u00a0<\/span>Between the\u00a0<\/span>education\u00a0<\/span>she\u2019s gotten through WSU and the experience of being at Mayo, Bayer is confident\u00a0<\/span>that she\u2019s not only\u00a0<\/span>prepared\u00a0<\/span>but<\/span>\u00a0ready\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>make a difference.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where I am meant to be,\u201d Bayer said. \u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to finally starting what I\u2019ve worked so hard for.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bayer knows her mom would be proud and that if she could, she would be the<\/span>re<\/span>\u00a0celebrating Bayer with ev<\/span>ery bit of energy she had.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDespite her grief, pain<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>shock, Kaylee did not leave school (and instead) became determined to become a nurse to help people like her mother and her family,\u201d Saunders said. \u201cKaylee will graduate this spring in 4 years, on time, as a nurse – making her family, her mother and me incredibly proud.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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For most new college students, Move-In\u00a0Day is full of excitement, exhilaration and\u00a0the\u00a0promise of new\u00a0fulfilling adventures.\u00a0\u00a0 For\u00a02021\u00a0Winona State University\u00a0graduate\u00a0Kaylee Bayer, that was not the case.\u00a0 Leading up to the\u00a0big\u00a0day,\u00a0Bayer’s\u00a0excitement\u00a0at starting her journey of becoming a nurse\u00a0quickly turned to worry\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0to panic after\u00a0her mom\u00a0was\u00a0hospitalized.\u00a0\u00a0 Becoming a nurse was always Bayer\u2019s dream, but she\u00a0found herself questioning whether\u00a0to\u00a0even\u00a0go.\u00a0Bayer\u2019s\u00a0mom,\u00a0who\u00a0was\u00a0her\u00a0most enthusiastic\u00a0supporter, had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":292,"featured_media":1582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[24,28,114,360,300],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","category-academics","category-cohns","category-featured-post","category-nursing"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/04\/KayleeBayer.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb2ffS-pt","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/292"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1579"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1613,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1579\/revisions\/1613"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}