There’s nothing more romantic than hitting the books together. So say Crouse Hospital College of Nursing students Dan Pauls and Mandy Fritzen.
The couple met at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry while pursuing bachelor’s degrees in environmental science. In fact, they’ve been together for three and a half years and are engaged.
When it came time to continue their education, they decided even more togetherness was the answer and enrolled in the nursing program together. “We chose Crouse Hospital College of Nursing because we wanted a hospital-based nursing program, but still wanted an affordable education,” said Dan. He also added that the number of clinical hours that Crouse provides was huge draw to the program for him and Mandy, as well as fellow students.
Even with two different work schedules, the pair is able to take all of their classes together and they try to study together as much as they can. “Having the same schedules for theory, lab and clinical makes planning tremendously easy, and allows us to spend time with each other while in school,” says Dan.
Going through a nursing program can be stressful, but the couple say that going through it together makes it easier. “Being in the same program together allows us to understand what the other is going through in terms of material, deadlines and, of course, the stress we’re under going to school and working,” adds Dan.
The couple plans to be married in May 2013 — right after their graduation, together.