Why did you choose Catholic University?
Noah Gomes: I chose Catholic University because my passion for nursing really honed into the school. There were other schools in the area that have great nursing programs as well. But hearing about Catholic from both of my aunts who graduated from here 20 years ago made a large impact on my decision. I've been coming to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the past 20 years. We would come for Christmas and Easter and occasionally for other events like the Our Lady of Good Health Velankanni mass, which would be hosted by the local South Asian community. When I would visit, I would always see the holistic community of students who could practice their faith but also be able to do their studies at the same time. For me, it was the full-blown package.
What inspired you to go into nursing?
Noah Gomes: Many reasons, but one is the influence of my aunts. Both of my aunts graduated from Catholic University's School of Nursing 20 years ago. One of them is a nurse practitioner within the Public Health Service and the other one is an R.N. at Georgetown MedStar Georgetown Hospital down the street from here in Washington, D.C. Hearing about how they handle their day-to-day at work and how they are giving back to the community as a nurse versus any other career, really helped me understand that nursing was the path for me.
What are your career aspirations for when you graduate?
Noah Gomes: I'm planning on commissioning with the United States Public Health Service. Immediately after graduating, I would like to work with federal organizations such as the Indian Health Services or the Bureau of Prisons with the goal of serving medically underserved native populations or inmates.
Is there any other anything else you're studying besides nursing?
Noah Gomes: No, at Catholic University I'm only a nursing major. No minors, no certificates. I am however a professional photographer. That's something that I've been working on for the past seven years and it's enabled me to work in all kinds of fields including real estate, nightclub, pet, and commercial photography.
What has been your favorite class you've taken at Catholic University?
Noah Gomes: I really like fundamentals. It's a rigorous course. It's taught by Dr. David Want and he's a nurse practitioner as well. It's a great class and I like it because you get into the nitty-gritty of nursing. I prefer it to the textbook classes where you have to read the textbook, memorize what's in the textbook, and then you have to use that for the future.
What has been your favorite memory while attending Catholic University?
Noah Gomes: I studied abroad last semester in Italy and that's got to be my favorite memory. People were shocked when I told them I was a Catholic University nursing student studying in Rome, they didn’t know we had a campus there. Being a part of our own cohort of nursing students and taking nursing classes abroad is something that isn’t offered in other nursing programs. I got to visit 14 different countries while I was abroad. I would 100% say that was my favorite memory.