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MCC Daily Tribune

Nurses Week Alumna Faculty Profile: Colleen Caruana

To celebrate Nurses Week, we are profiling some MCC nursing faculty who are also MCC graduates! Today, we feature Colleen Caruana.

Veronica:  Why did you choose to become a nurse?
Colleen:  In a way, I have always wanted to be a nurse and care for people but I took the long route to get here. Originally, I was pre-med with the goal of being a doctor. But, in my junior year of college, I realized it was the nurses that did everything that I wanted to do. That real life was not like the TV show “ER” where the doctor was doing everything!

Veronica: How did your education at MCC prepare you for your career?
Colleen: Nursing at MCC is a serious business. I was a second-career student and already had a bachelor’s degree. The nursing program really made me learn how to learn. I could not just memorize information anymore. I had to learn the material not just to understand it but to also be able to apply it to real-world scenarios. It was empowering!

Veronica: Why did you choose to come back and teach at MCC?
Colleen: I  loved the MCC nursing program. The passion of the faculty and their dedication to their students left a lasting impression. I remember sitting in the hallway (with other students) outside of Jan Volland’s office while she held office hours. We were listening to her review content and answer student questions. MCC was my first experience with faculty who cared and viewed us as individuals and not just numbers.

Veronica: What advice do you have for someone considering joining the nursing field?
Colleen: Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers. The job opportunities are endless. You can be an expert in one area, get bored, change direction, and find a new passion in your career. It is flexible to your lifestyle and pays a livable wage.

Veronica: If you could choose a spirit animal, what would it be and why?
Colleen: A cat. They have “9” lives. They do what they want. They sleep a lot. They love their people. Life is simple.

Photo caption: 

  • Headshot of Colleen Caruana smiling, standing outside while wearing a flowerd shirt, baseball cap with sunglasses on brim, and backpack.  Photo has s graphic border with MCC logo, stethoscope illustration and text: Nurses Week Spotlight: Colleen Caruana, Assistant Professor, MCC Alumna.

Attached Files:
Nurses Week - Colleen Caruana.jpg

Veronica Chiesi Brown
Community Relations
05/06/2025