From the Sidelines to the Surgery Room: Senior Hailey Z.’s Path to Nursing Excellence

For American Canyon High School (ACHS) senior Hailey Z., the path to a career in medicine didn't start in a textbook—it started on the sidelines with a water buffalo, a medical bag, and a commitment to her fellow athletes.

As a nominee for the 2025 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship, Hailey’s journey illustrates the power of NVUSD’s CTE pathways in turning student passion into professional readiness.

A Foundation in Sports Medicine

Hailey completed both years of the ACHS Sports Medicine pathway, a program that bridges the gap between classroom anatomy and real-world application. Under the mentorship of ACHS Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine teacher Ms. Davis, Hailey spent countless hours managing the logistics of football and basketball games—refilling water, prepping medical kits, identifying injured players from the sideline, and ensuring safety equipment was ready for every play.

Ms. Davis noted that Hailey demonstrated a level of interest and initiative in both the program and the nursing field that far exceeds the average student. In addition to her coursework, Hailey completed two separate internships with Ms. Davis, taking on increased leadership and responsibility with every passing season.

"Communication was key," Hailey says of her time with Ms. Davis. "I learned how to anticipate what the trainers needed before they even asked, this was especially true of my work with Ms. Davis."

The "Competitive Edge": Beyond the Classroom

While many seniors spend their summers relaxing, Hailey spent hers in the Vallejo Nursing School’s CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program. From 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Hailey completed lectures and assessments before tackling 100 hours of clinical rotations at Alhambra Post Acute, where she learned to provide compassionate care to both short-term and long-term residents as she shadowed the nurses on staff.

This hands-on experience, combined with Ms. Davis’s Leadership in Health course, where she developed a comprehensive 10-year plan for her career in the medical field and took a field trip recently to Stanford University to study cardiac and pulmonary anatomy, solidified her vision for the future. She is no longer just interested in the medical field; she is a "Solution Seeker" with a clear, strategic map for her future.

"I’m interested in the medical side of surgery now," Hailey explains. "My goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). It’s the perfect middle ground between nursing and anesthesiology."

Future-Ready and Student-Centered

Hailey has already been accepted into nursing and kinesiology programs at Chico State, Fresno State, San Jose and Cal State Fullerton. She is currently appealing to her top choice, CSU San Marcos, hoping they will take a closer look at her clinical hours and CTE achievements—factors that a standard transcript doesn't always show.

Hailey credits her success to the support of her parents, her counselor Ms. Sommers, and her mentor Ms. Davis. As we celebrate CTE Month, Hailey stands as a shining example of our Graduate Portrait in action: a student who is not only ready for adulthood but ready to lead in the healthcare industry.