Justin Bates, Fuld Fellow (RN to BS Program)

Justin Bates.

About Justin

  • Program: RN to BS
  • Hometown: Loudonville, NY
  • Interests/hobbies: My personal hobbies include spending time with my wife and my animals. I enjoy watching and playing a number of different sports. I also spend time working out at the gym and improving my understanding of nutrition.

Why UB?

I choose UB for my nursing education because of their highly rated online RN to BS program. I was excited I could receive such a quality education while remaining in my hometown.

Activities and Accolades

I graduated high school with honors, and then attended SUNY Brockport where I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. After graduation I worked for a sales company where I became the youngest manager in company history. After a few years in sales I decided to go back to school for nursing. In order to pay for tuition and my living expenses I worked as a server in multiple restaurants. During my nursing education I was given an award for my strength as a student and for helping my classmates. In 2019 I graduated with my associates degree in nursing from SUNY Adirondack, and then passed my NCLEX exam. I currently work in Albany Medical Center's Division of Rheumatology outpatient clinic in Albany, NY I also volunteer for a nonprofit organization called Steffens Scleroderma Foundation, where I serve on multiple committees. 

What's Next

My goal is to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. I plan to work hard to see this dream become a reality. I hope to continue to work in the field of rheumatology and help patients with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. I have often thought of one day opening my own rheumatology clinic, although that day is far in the future. 

Grateful

The support from this scholarship is surreal. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would receive such help. My wife and I just recently purchased our first house and we are both in school. She is working hard to become a dental hygienist and I am working hard in my program. I work full time, but my wife cannot; her program's in person classes and studies require too much time. The financial support from the scholarship will help both of us achieve our dreams and help us maintain financial stability. It's possible that without this scholarship I would have to pick up a second job to help pay for my wife's school. This would delay my education and my future dream of becoming a nurse practitioner.