Entering the final stage of nursing school can bring a mix of emotions. For Dean Taleda, a ninth semester student at Arizona College of Nursing’s (AZCN) Las Vegas campus, the feeling is best described as bittersweet.
“I’m doing my best not to have a case of senioritis,” Dean admitted. “The fact that we’re so close to being done, not only with the semester, but with the whole nursing program….it hasn’t hit me yet.”
As he prepares for his final Capstone courses and locks in on studying for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), Dean took a moment to reflect on his journey at AZCN, including his drive to advocate for his peers and how he has made a lasting impact on the campus during his time.
Finding His “Why”
Nursing runs in Dean’s family, but ultimately, the final push to pursue the career came from his mother-in-law, a family medicine nurse practitioner. He explained that she was the one who opened his eyes to just how versatile yet stable the field can be. From there, he was met with another career clarifying moment during clinicals.
“I had to do a Foley catheter…on a patient who looked in full distress,” Dean shared. “He was depending on me to relieve him.”
Dean successfully completed the invasive procedure and afterward recalled the patient’s reaction.
“He looked relieved [and] told me that what I did really helped him out today, and that I’ll make it far as a nurse. Things like that remind you of why you chose nursing to begin with. You’re seeing patients at their worst moments, and that passion for helping others shows through the care that you give.”
Stepping Up at AZCN
Before Dean stepped foot on the hospital floor for the first time, he was used to executing under pressure, working continuously to improve his skills, and taking center stage. Though not as a nurse, Dean has worked as a professional singer at the Venetian Hotel on the Las Vegas strip for the last nine years.
Dean has brought the same outgoing energy and desire to connect with others he’s felt while working at the Venetian to his time at AZCN. He explained that he has always been determined to do more than just “go to school and go home,” so he has fully immersed himself into campus life:
Student Leadership: After starting as treasurer, Dean ran for and was elected Student Nurse Association (SNA) President for his campus. Here, he organizes events, including the upcoming 2026 Susan G. Komen Southern Nevada MORE THAN PINK Walk where he and over 100 of his peers will be getting involved in October!
Statewide Advocacy: Dean also was elected as Communications Director for the Nevada State Board SNA, building bridges between nursing programs across the state.
Social Scrub Squad: Known by classmates for constantly vlogging and documenting their nursing school journey, Dean joined the college’s Social Scrub Squad, which consists of a group of students from AZCN campuses across the United States who love creating content, staying updated with trends, and connecting with others. “Every time my videos get posted… I feel like it brings the morale up, and it makes everyone feel represented,” Dean said.
Representation in the Nursing Field
For Dean, representation as a nurse is of the utmost importance. First, he navigates nursing school with a hearing implant.
“If you zoom in on my Social Scrub Squad videos, you can actually see my hearing aids,” Dean explained.
He often spends extra hours after school to fully understand the last lecture materials, but he quickly found that AZCN was eager to support him and provide him with resources needed to thrive during his schooling.
“I’ve learned you aren’t limited by a disability,” he said.
Dean is also highly aware of the need for greater gender diversity in the field. With men making up just 12% of the U.S. nursing workforce, there is a massive opportunity for male nurses to help bridge the nationwide nursing shortage.
For Dean, it’s about proving that the core values of nursing, which caring transcend gender. “It shows a raw side of nursing,” Dean said of his content. “Representation matters.”
Looking Ahead
With graduation on the horizon, Dean is weighing two very different specialties: the Emergency Room and Labor & Delivery (L&D).
While male nurses are especially rare in L&D, Dean was deeply moved by his clinical rotations there.
“I loved the connections that you can make with the mothers… I never felt so engaged during clinicals,” he said. Acknowledging the gender norms of the specialty, he remains undeterred: “Maybe I’m just the person that will break the barriers. Who knows?”
When asked what advice he has for peers following in his footsteps, Dean emphasized courage and reflection.
“Take a leap of faith… when you put yourself in situations where you feel uncomfortable, that’s just leaving so much more room for you to grow as a person,” Dean advised. “And always celebrate your wins, no matter how small or big. We’re always thinking about what’s next, and we never take a chance to live in the moment.”
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of September 28, 2026.
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.