---
title: "Dean’s Journey From Las Vegas Singer to Nursing"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/deans-journey-from-las-vegas-singer-to-nursing/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-09-28
date_modified: 2026-09-28
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 995
reading_time: 5 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/deans-journey-from-las-vegas-singer-to-nursing/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Dean-Taleda-at-Arizona-College-of-Nursing.webp"
categories:
  - Nursing School
topic:
  - Nursing
---

# Dean’s Journey From Las Vegas Singer to Nursing

![Dean Taleda at Arizona College of Nursing](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Dean-Taleda-at-Arizona-College-of-Nursing.webp)

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](https://arizonacollege.edu/las-vegas-nursing-school/)
, the feeling is best described as bittersweet.

![Nursing School Students Celebrating at AZCN](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Nursing-School-Students-Celebrating-at-AZCN.webp?w=1024)

“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)](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/nclex-exam-prep/)
, 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](https://arizonacollege.edu/las-vegas-nursing-school/location/):

**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!

![Dean Taleda's Transition to Nursing in Las Vegas](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Dean-Taledas-Transition-to-Nursing-in-Las-Vegas.webp?w=1024)

**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](https://arizonacollege.edu/campus-locations/)
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.

![Nursing Program Students in a Group Photo](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Nursing-Program-Students-in-a-Group-Photo.webp?w=1024)

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](https://arizonacollege.edu/student-services/)
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](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
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.

![Dean Talea's Family](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Dean-Taleas-Family.webp?w=1024)

“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.”

**Categories:** Nursing School