Meet our BSN Freshman Direct-Entry Community

Welcome to the Bachelors of Science in Nursing at The University of New Mexico College of Nursing, Freshman Direct-Entry option. Find out what our program offers students, alumni and faculty by exploring the testimonials below.

Each BSN student, alum and faculty members' journey is unique, but you will find that each testimonial has a few common themes: passion for nursing, excitement for learning and gratitude to our program.

Look around! And find out why the UNM College of Nursing BSN program is highly ranked.

Garrett Slama

UNM College of Nursing BSN Freshman Direct-Entry student

Garrett has lived all over but he calls Santa Fe, New Mexico home. He would like to pursue Emergency Department nursing. He has always been interested in the fast-paced environment and the wide array of cases to be encountered. In his free time Slama likes to bake, hang out with friends and explore black and white photography.

“The schedule of the Freshman Direct-Entry option really allows me to have a healthy school/life balance. Throughout my time in the program the schedule has had a lot of variety in courses, clinicals and coursework. So, I'm always engaged and busy, but also able to have a social life and relax," says Garrett.

Paris Morgan

UNM College of Nursing BSN Freshman Direct-Entry student

Paris is of the Navajo Nation and grew up on the Navajo and Acoma Pueblo Reservations in Gallup, New Mexico. She is proud to be studying nursing so that she can contribute to her family's legacy of caring for others, as her grandfather was a Navajo medicine man. She currently works as an emergency room scribe and loves the collaborative, fast-paced nature of emergency medicine.

“The emergency department keeps me on my toes. I’ve grown to love it. I love that we are a team who works at a fast-pace and there is something new every day. My cohort at UNM has been very collaborative, as well. Being a Freshman Direct-Entry BSN student while scribing for an emergency department is a great combination,” says Morgan.

Mitch Irvin, MSN, RN

UNM College of Nursing Freshman Direct Entry Director, Lecturer II

Irvin received his Master of Science in Nursing degree from Eastern New Mexico State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of New Mexico. Prior to joining the UNM College of Nursing early 2021, Irvin worked as a Clinical Educator for several years at the Central New Mexico Community College.

“When Freshman Direct-Entry students begin with us, they are right out of high school. It's great to see how eager and ready to learn these students are and how adept they are at rising to the challenges of nursing school. I enjoy providing instruction and support to our FDE students," says Irvin.