Karla’s Journey: Living the Dominican Pillar of Service
Karla Aponte Roque ‘19 is a great example of what it means to serve others. As a registered nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital, she helps patients every day in her day to day activities, but her path to nursing wasn’t always clear to her. She first considered becoming a physician assistant or going to medical school. However, after exploring her options, she found that nursing was the best fit for her and her long term career goals.
“I did end up taking the MCATs. I did look into becoming a PA and doing hours as a CNA, but ultimately my scores weren’t competitive enough here in Connecticut, and I didn’t want to move out of state,” Karla explained. “Then I was encouraged by some nurses that knew my husband that APRNs are a viable career path. So that’s what persuaded me to look into nursing.”
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, she enrolled at Fairfield University’s accelerated nursing program to earn her B.S.N. Now, she has been working at Yale New Haven Hospital for two years.
Finding Her Career Path
Albertus played a big role in helping Karla along the way. She formed strong relationships with her science professors, and Dr. Isaac Hon , who supported her career goals and helped her find success at Albertus.
“I have a very close relationship with the science department, the department leaders, especially during the 2019 era,” she said. “They picked me to be their lab assistant. I worked, studied while I was at Albertus, and having the relationship with them to ask questions about my career really helped.”
With their guidance, she explored different healthcare careers, received recommendation letters, and found the resources she needed to succeed.
The Dominican Pillar of Service in Nursing
Now that Karla is a nurse, she lives out the Dominican Pillar of Service every day. She believes that service isn’t just about doing what’s expected—it’s about going above and beyond for her patients.
“Service is those little things, too,” she said. “Knowing that someone is scared and sitting with them for a little bit and talking to them prior to a procedure. Or understanding that we are a multicultural nation, so there might be things I don’t know that I need to learn.”
She also makes sure to advocate for her patients, helping them receive the best possible care and accommodations.
A Supportive College Community
Karla also spoke about the impact of Dr. Marc M. Camille, president of Albertus Magnus College, and how well his leadership is appreciated by students. She talked about how involved he was on the college campus and in the surrounding community.
“He’s at every event. He’s everywhere in New Haven, building the College. And he’s so supportive,” she said. “He’s always messaging, he’s always liking things that I post, and I know I’m not the only one. He takes the time to reach out to so many students, to make us feel seen and heard.”
Karla believes that Dr. Camille’s presence makes a huge difference in the Albertus community. Whether he is attending College events, interacting with students via social media, or working toward the growth of the college, his dedication can be seen. “He truly cares about us students and wishes for us to do well,” she added. “It makes Albertus feel like home.”
Advice for Albertus Students
Karla strongly encourages both current and future Albertus students to take full advantage of everything the college has to offer. She believes that students should make the most of their time by actively learning, engaging with others, and seeking out opportunities for growth.
“If you can soak up as much knowledge as possible and build strong relationships, especially with your professors, it can make a huge difference,” she explained. “Many of your professors are already working or have worked in the field you want to be in, so they have firsthand experience and valuable insights to share. They can give you great advice on how to succeed, what steps to take, and what challenges to expect.
Beyond that, they can also open doors for you by recommending positions, internships, or professional connections that you might not have known about otherwise. Sometimes, just one introduction or one piece of advice can change your entire career path for the better. So take the time to network, ask questions, and stay involved, it will pay off in the long run.”