Editor's note: This story first appeared in the spring 2021 issue of Hearts Together, a Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor Special Magazine Edition.
Get to know one of our uncommon Concordians, nursing major Honey Rose Macatuno (’21).
Honey Rose Macatuno had just one year to go before graduation when word came that her school, Concordia University, Portland, would be unexpectedly closing.
The panic on campus was palpable, Macatuno recalls, as everyone rushed to find an alternative. While representatives from over 200 schools paid visits to the Portland campus to offer enticing transfer packages, Macatuno and her fellow nursing majors were barely courted due to the rigorous nursing certification standards each state carries and the extra measures that would be required to accommodate a nursing transfer so late in the game.
Fortunately for Macatuno, Concordia University Wisconsin went the extra mile to open its doors. And Macatuno, an Alaska native, literally went the extra mile in kind to finish her program. She and six other Portland nursing transfers will cross the CUW commencement stage in May.
Alaska to Mequon is quite a journey…
I’ve grown up and lived in Alaska
my whole life, so this is my first time in the Midwest! My friend and I made the drive from Portland to Mequon. It took us 10 days, but we also took advantage of the trip by doing a bunch of hikes and making stops like that.
What made you decide on CUW?
Even though I had limited options, I did a lot of research on Wisconsin’s program before I said yes. I looked up the professors. Do they have PhDs? How long has the nursing program been around? What are their NCLEX pass rates? CUW passed everything with flying colors.
And now that you’re here?
I can’t say enough about CUW’s nursing faculty. Aside from the fact that they moved mountains to allow me to be here, they just go above and beyond in general. They really want to see you succeed.
Why nursing?
I’ve always wanted to care for people. My dad passed away when I was really young, and that really impacted my view of the role that a caregiver can play. You can change and impact someone’s life so significantly.
What are your Wisconsin “musts” before you leave?
I have a growing to-do list, and I’m always taking suggestions! So far I’ve learned that Fridays are for fish frys. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’ll definitely try it before I leave.
Learn more about Concordia’s School of Nursing at cuw.edu/nursing.
The spring/summer 2021 Hearts Together magazine hit mailboxes in early April. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, email Jennifer.Hackmann@cuaa.edu.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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