What does it actually look like to transition from general education to the demanding “core” of nursing school? If you ask Alexandria Rodriguez, a student in semester 8 at Arizona College of Nursing’s Phoenix campus, she will tell you it is a mix of “nursing trauma” bonds, playing lunch-box Tetris in the student lounge, and a whole lot of heart.
But Alexandria isn’t just surviving nursing school. She is documenting it, celebrating it, and lifting up her fellow classmates as an active leader in the Social Scrub Squad. As part of the squad, participating students collaborate with the AZCN Social Media Team to create fun, light-hearted, and engaging content that showcases student life and the nursing school experience. Content may include day-in-the-life posts, study tips and tricks, self-care routines, or other aspects of student life that reflect the nursing community.
Alexandria is proving that you can juggle a rigorous schedule, maintain a high-level creative output, and be a pillar of support for your peers at the College.
It wasn’t long ago that she was navigating the transition from general education into the core nursing classes. Alexandria describes nursing school as a “big roller coaster, to be honest.” She shares that “you have your beginning stages where you are very excited, you’re happy, you went into core, you’re getting transitioned into the heavier classes, so honestly, at first and still now, I’m very excited to be progressing into the next semester.”
This positive momentum is fueled by her “nursing besties” and a commitment to mental wellness.
“It’s important to have those classmates to help you mentally because nursing school is a lot. It is a mental mess, and you need that balance. Balance is key when it comes to nursing school,” she said. “Though we want to study all the time because we want to pass our exams, we also want to slow down and remember that our mental health is important and not become burnt out before we even become nurses.”
For Alexandria, the Social Scrub Squad has been a vital part of her nursing journey, allowing her to bridge the gap between campuses and semesters.
“It helped me connect with all the Arizona College of Nursing campuses throughout every state. It’s nice to hear everyone’s different experiences through different states, as well as being able to connect with people who are basically going through the same thing that you are.”
Documenting her life has also allowed Alexandria to see her own growth in real-time. She notes that being a part of the Social Scrub Squad has helped her document her nursing journey from when she first started in Semester 6, and now, she can see the ways she has grown and improved in her future career by the end of Semester 7.
“Seeing how [we] tie in knowledge from semester 5 or 6 into semester 7 and how much more like our critical thinking [has grown] or how my day-to-day is different is a big reason why I joined the squad,” Alexandria said.
While she consistently puts in the hard work, the squad adds an element of fun and reward, noting that “it helps motivate [her] to put out content that is relatable.”
Beyond the perks, her mission is deeply personal, rooted in her own survival as a NICU baby who was once pronounced dead for five minutes.
“I want to be the advocate. I want to be the voice for the ones who cannot [advocate for themselves]. It is more than the NICU babies. It is for the sick little infants that don’t have a voice and that need a strong advocate to make sure they are able to grow up,” Alexandria explained.
Her dedication has even come full circle at home, as she even inspired her own sister to enroll at AZCN next year.
“When I saw my older sister being my advocate, something clicked in me that made me want to do that for other people. Now, I inspired her to go back and further her education. It just shows that you can do it at any age. Wanting to reach your dreams does not have an age limit.”
The Social Scrub Squad provides a space where students throughout their nursing journey at AZCN can be real about the struggles and successes they all are bound to face. All of the content is reviewed and captioned by the AZCN Social Team to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal guidelines, allowing students to share their own original content on personal accounts while fostering community awareness.
As Alexandria says, “I like to inspire other people to join, not just the social media Social Scrub Squad team, but nursing school. I want to inspire other people to follow their dreams because it is possible.”
Whether she is hosting a Facetime study session until the crack of dawn with her fellow classmates or gearing up for her clinical shift, Alexandria is proof that with the right “squad,” you can conquer anything nursing school may throw at you.
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 January 27, 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.