Alumni Spotlight – Vicky Rundle, 1992 Nursing graduate
We love to highlight our alumni and are especially proud of the alumni that come back to campus as employees of Southwest Tech. Today’s spotlight is Vicky Rundle, 1992 Nursing graduate who now serves as a Nursing instructor.
Why did you choose Southwest Tech?
Many, many years ago, when I was a junior in high school, I knew that I wanted to be in the healthcare field. As all of us know “life” can happen when we have plans for the future. At age 18, I graduated High school in May 1988 (#11 in my class), was married in June 1988, and had my first child in September of that same year. I was a bit over whelmed to say the least! I knew that in order to have a better future for my family, I needed to go back to school. I chose Southwest Tech for a couple of reasons, the first, to be able to stay close to home while assisting my husband with the prospects of farming and all that it entails; the second, it came at a time when women in agriculture were supported in going back to school (with a grant) that paid for tuition and books. I was supported at SWTC by the advisor and he was very helpful in guiding me through the process of nursing school. I could not pass up this opportunity!
What impact did Southwest Tech have on your career?
Without Southwest Tech I would not be a nurse today. We are fortunate to have this college that serves so many in southwest Wisconsin and surrounding areas.
Tell me about your career path after graduation. How did you get to where you are now? What are you most proud of?
Following graduation from Southwest Tech in 1992, I became a RN and was hired as a charge nurse (RN) at a nursing home. I worked there for 6 years, working my way into administration. After 6 years in the nursing home, I went on to work in a rural hospital for the next 10 years, again working my way into administration. There was a program that came to the Fennimore area for returning RN’s that wanted to get their BSN degree through Viterbo University and it was the perfect opportunity to earn my degree while maintaining my full-time status in my job at the hospital. So, I went back to school, and graduated with my BSN in nursing in 1998. Still working fulltime, I changed facilities and continued to work in acute care. I had found my passion with precepting new students within the facility and I decided to go back to school and achieve my Master’s Degree in Nursing Education, which I achieved in 2011. I have had many teaching opportunities along the way following this last achievement, but none that I am prouder of than teaching at the college that gave me an opportunity to prove myself, and assisted me in any way they could. Southwest Tech will always have a special place in my heart. I was hired in the fall of 2016 as a nurse faculty member, and had also taught in an adjunct role prior to that for nursing students in the clinical setting.
What are your passions outside of work?
I never knew what being a grandparent would be like until I became one. It is the best thing in the world, and I am proud of both of my grandchildren (Cameron & Maverick). They make me feel young again, which means a lot when pushing 50!! Otherwise, I am a quilter when I cannot get outside to work on the farm or in my yard. I LOVE the outdoors and can’t wait for the weather to warm up to enjoy it.
