When Anthony Attalla was hospitalized with COVID-19, he was in the middle of studying for the MCAT and aimed to become a doctor. His experience revealed another path.
“Nursing found me at my most vulnerable moment, lying alone in a hospital bed while my eyes remained closed for 22 of the 24 hours of the day,” said Attalla, a Class of 2025 nursing student at Cal State Fullerton.
“My family was unable to visit due to restrictions, and over the next several days, my eyes opened to the heroes among us: The nurses who care for us, for our loved ones and the strangers that no one may know.”
After a considerable amount of research, Attalla decided to apply to nursing school and Cal State Fullerton rose to the top of his list. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the School of Nursing has graduated nearly 8,000 nurses who serve in Orange County and beyond.
“CSUF offered the highest quality nursing education at an affordable price compared to similar schools,” said Attalla. “The amount of resources that CSUF’s School of Nursing provides is astonishing, from writing coaches, tutors, peer mentors and more.”
One of the most unique offerings of the program is a dedicated nurse coach who provides one-on-one guidance and teaches students about the holistic experience of becoming a nurse.
“As nurses, we often prioritize others — our patients, their families, our peers — but it is important to consciously commit to self-care,” explained Attalla. “This understanding of the whole self will lead to improved patient outcomes.”
In CSUF’s Nursing Simulation Center, students like Attalla are presented with dynamic and interactive learning scenarios while collaborating with other nursing students.
“Walking into the simulation lab, you really feel as if you are in an emergency room,” Attalla shared. “It is extremely crucial to simulate real-world experiences, and it is executed exceptionally in this program.”
Throughout his academic journey at Cal State Fullerton, Attalla chased every opportunity, from serving as cohort representative for his class to becoming a member of the Nursing Student Association and serving as a peer mentor. For his achievements, he was accepted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, which recognizes academic excellence and leadership.
“Anthony has a scientifically curious mind and the ability to reflect upon the humanistic experience of patient care,” said Jutara Srivali Teal, associate professor of nursing and nurse coach. “He is focused on how nursing can make a difference in the patient’s experience, understanding that medicine and medications alone do not heal the whole person.”
At commencement, Attalla will serve as his cohort’s graduating speaker and will be joined by his “biggest supporters” — his mother, father and brother. After graduation, he plans to apply for a position in a cardiovascular or trauma intensive care unit, but his long-term goals also include nursing education.
“The impact that the staff and faculty at Cal State Fullerton have had on me has instilled in me the desire to become an educator myself,” he explained. “Whether in an academic setting, as a clinical instructor or an online educator, I want to help shape future nurses.
“Nursing combines scientific knowledge with critical thinking and compassionate care,” said Attalla. “It’s not just what I do — it’s who I am.”