Charting a Path: Meet 2025 PNW graduate Felipe Oria
A trip to the emergency room during the pandemic inspired Felipe Oria, ’25, to uproot his life, move back to Indiana, commit to becoming a nurse and earn a bachelor of science degree in Nursing from Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) College of Nursing.
After spending a decade managing a business in Chicago, being hospitalized during a global pandemic left a lasting impression on Oria. “The way the nurses cared for me made me realize I wanted to do something that truly helps people,” says Oria.
As a first-generation college student, Oria was part of the TRIO Robert McNair program and presented his research, “Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” at PNW’s 2025 Days of Discovery. He also assisted Julia Rogers, associate professor of Nursing, with pathophysiology research for the textbook, The 3P’s for Advanced Healthcare Providers: Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, and Pharmacology.
During his time at PNW, Oria was a member of the Honors College, worked with the Office of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives and volunteered during Preview PNW events, guiding prospective students and families through the College of Nursing. In addition, the Merrillville, Indiana, native was a Supplemental Instructor (SI) for the Anatomy and Physiology and Pathophysiology courses. While pursuing his nursing degree, Oria gained valuable clinical experience working as a nursing assistant in the children’s intensive care unit (ICU) at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. He also worked in the adult ICU at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.
After graduation, Oria will begin his career at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, working in a children’s intensive care unit. Looking ahead, he plans to pursue a master’s of science in Nursing (MSN) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees with the long-term goal of returning to PNW as a nursing professor.
What I loved most about PNW is how it pulls the excellence out of you. It’s not just about pushing you academically – they really see your potential, recognize what you’re capable of and help bring that out of you.
What did you like most about PNW?
“When choosing a university, I really took the time to understand what each university stood for – what their values are and what type of standards they have. PNW stood out because it was about excellence.
The College of Nursing has a very high success rate and upholds this high standard for students to be their best. I liked knowing that my professors would expect a lot from me – not because it’s the standard, but because they believe I can reach that level.”
What did you like most about PNW?
“What I loved most about PNW is how it pulls the excellence out of you. It’s not just about pushing you academically – they really see your potential, recognize what you’re capable of and help bring that out of you.
It just feels good to be part of a university where people genuinely care about making a difference.”
What did you like most about the Nursing program at PNW?
“Everything! The professors didn’t just teach, they guided, challenged and helped me see the full picture of what nursing really is across so many specialties.”
How do you think your involvement in campus organizations and activities helped define your success at PNW?
“Being involved and meeting so many different people gave me a new perspective beyond nursing. I started to see how connected everything is – the ripple effect. That sense of interconnectedness really stuck with me.
What I learned about community, shared growth and how our everyday actions matter is something I’ll take with me and pass on. It taught me that we all have the power to make a difference, even in ways we don’t always see right away.”
Did you have a pivotal experience while attending PNW?
“That moment happened in my first clinical. I was assigned to a patient who had terminal lung cancer and was in his final moments. His family couldn’t be with him and while I couldn’t do much, I could just be there in that moment. That moment shaped my philosophy as a nurse.
Since then, every clinical experience has reinforced that. That one moment became the foundation for how I want to practice – choose kindness and help where I can. That’s what I’ll carry with me.”
What words of advice would you share with prospective students looking to attend PNW?
“Don’t be afraid to get involved, it can lead to so many great opportunities.”
Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?
“I don’t think I can pick just one. It was a whole team of people who guided and supported me in different ways throughout the program. What I really appreciated is how the professors took the time to understand my concerns and helped me grow through them. I feel like they’ve lit a spark in me.”