Grandma and the Graduate

April 20, 2020 Washtenaw Community College

Cassidy Snow Andrusyszyn and her grandmother, Louise SalaminMost graduates have family members attend their graduation ceremony.

But there was an extra special relative present at Cassidy Snow Andrusyszyn’s commencement. It was her grandmother, Louise Salamin, who was one of the speakers at the event and from whom she received her nursing pin.

Andrusyszyn earned her associate degree from WCC’s accredited nursing program in December. Her grandmother earned her associate nursing degree over 40 years ago as a member of WCC’s fi rst graduating class from its then-newly established associate nursing degree program.

Salamin had aspired to be a nurse since she was a child, but marrying young and having children put her nursing education on hold. Years later when she made the decision to return to college, she didn’t have the budget or time to attend a four-year nursing program. “Because it was so convenient, affordable and less time consuming, I chose to attend Washtenaw’s licensed practical nurse program,” explained Salamin.

Salamin was nearly finished with her LPN program when WCC launched its associate registered nursing program. She leapt at the chance to expand her education and skills, going on to earn her bachelor’s in nursing from Eastern Michigan University and master of science in administration with a healthcare focus from Central Michigan University after receiving her second degree from Washtenaw. She worked at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital until she retired. Salamin continues to work parttime at Michigan Medicine.

Andrusyszyn had initially wanted to be a teacher, but her grandma’s advice changed her mind. “Grandma Louise wanted all of us to go into the medical field. She said that nursing would give us limitless opportunities. She was hardworking. Family came first, but work was a close second.”

When Andrusyszyn was nearly halfway through her program, her family suffered a number of tragic losses. She had wanted to quit school, but recalled her grandmother’s determination to continue her own education while being a single mother. “I reminded myself that Grandma had done this while raising three kids,” said Andrusyszyn. “She wouldn’t let me quit. She said, ‘you have to do this, and one day you’ll save somebody’s life.’”

Andrusyszyn considers her grandma’s phone calls, dinners and visits as instrumental to her graduation. From the stage at Washtenaw Community College’s nurse pinning ceremony, Salamin shared her nursing experience and appreciation for how WCC prepared her for her career. She praised her granddaughter after personally pinning her, saying, “Cassidy, I am so very pleased with your choices, tenacity and accomplishments. You make me so very proud.”

Now equipped with her degree, Andrusyszyn is looking for employment. She plans to pursue her bachelor of science in nursing degree and eventually become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Cassidy thinks it is a good omen that the World Health Organization has dubbed 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honor of Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday. She added that Nightingale, the “Lady with the Lamp,” was not only the founder of modern nursing, but also of today’s modern pinning ceremony. Today, WCC nursing graduates light their candles from one large candle. “It shows how our instructors passed their knowledge on to us,” said Andrusyszyn, just as her grandma continues to do for her.

Tags: Advising, Counseling, Nursing, ousearch_News_Launch Magazine

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