Student Spotlight: Gabbie Innocent, BSN Student

Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Gabbie Innocent, a sophomore in the traditional BSN program, always craved adrenaline. Her intent was to pursue a career as a paramedic, but she found shortly after coming to UK that nursing not only offers the same rush, but also a different experience every day—a break from the normal routine.

“I just knew an everyday job wasn’t for me ever since I was young. But I knew I wanted to do something medical and help others,” explains Innocent.

Innocent hopes to either work in an emergency department or a cardiovascular unit upon graduation in May 2019 in addition to working toward her DNP. Eventually, she’d love to work as a flight nurse, providing care to patients while they are transported in helicopters in high emergency situations. “In high school, I was able to shadow a crew in Bowling Green, and I was immediately drawn to it because I could tell how much they relied on teamwork and each other’s skills,” says Innocent. 

Innocent also channels a lot of her energy into her role on the K Week Board—a group of 13 individuals who coordinate everything that goes into making K Week possible for incoming freshman. On the Events Committee, she and a few other students schedule and coordinate all events, make plans in case of inclement weather and brainstorm new ideas to get incoming freshman interested and excited in becoming a Wildcat.

Innocent is also a William C. Parker scholar and a peer mentor for the Interprofessional Healthcare Residential College, a high-impact living-learning program designed for students who have a passion for health care and interdisciplinary learning. In this role, she lives among students in Woodland Glen V and facilitates student learning and academic success through one-on-one support and organizing floor-wide meetings and activities.

“Gabbie is an excellent student who works hard and gives 100 percent each time she comes to clinical,” says Jennifer Clarke, MSN, RN, Innocent’s clinical instructor for NUR 211. “She is always willing to help her fellow classmates and the hospital staff, and she is kind and compassionate to her patients and their families.”