Western Nevada College and Oasis Academy alumna Ellona Gehman is seeing the country as a traveling pediatric oncology nurse.

“Getting to support little fighters on their biggest battles has been something I have found a lot of passion in and enjoy every minute getting to be their nurse,” Gehman said.

Gehman graduated from Oasis Academy with her high school diploma in 2018. She received her Associate of Arts degree from Western Nevada College at the same time through the Jump Start program.

“Being able to complete both at the same time was immensely helpful to getting my career started,” she explained.

She furthered her education by earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Portland at just 20 years old. Gehman is very appreciative of the education she received in Fallon.

“I would like to say thank you to Ms. Holly O’Toole; she was an immense support to me at WNC and truly one of the kindest humans I have ever met,” Gehman said. “Anyone who is lucky enough to have a class with her can feel her bright energy. I owe an exponential amount of my success and confidence as a nurse to her.”

As for her future, Gehman knows that she will always work in the care of children.

“I learned quickly in my practice that I would only ever be a pediatric nurse. My five-year goal would be to become a nurse practitioner, probably still in pediatric oncology, but I have my mind open to other pediatric specialties.” 

So far, as a traveling nurse, she has worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital and at Connecticut Children’s Hospital in Hartford, Conn. In between nursing contracts, she has traveled to Croatia, Italy and Alaska. 

“Being a traveling nurse has opened immense opportunities in getting to

explore parts of the world we would have never pictured ourselves going. My significant other, Jason, and I are also on the journey to find our forever home,” she said.

Gehman has advice for future students.

“I would say never be afraid of fear or failure, and instead choose to move forward in the face of fear,” Gehman said. “Being stagnant kills growth and I am a big advocate for taking any opportunities to better yourself no matter how scary it may be. I think so many people get into a routine and feel stuck. The opportunities on this earth are endless, you should never feel stuck. Secondly, drink at least the same if not more water than coffee.”

— Provided by Angela Viera, public relations coordinator at Oasis Academy and a former WNC employee.