Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years.
Noelle Hove: Growing up my parents instilled in me the importance of having a good work ethic, respect, and time management. The most important thing my sisters and I were taught growing up, was to never quit no matter how difficult it may get. Always finish everything you start. My older sister was a great role model and example of what my parents taught us growing up. My older sister, had a baby at a very young age and still went to college and became a registered nurse all while raising a toddler. My younger sister, who is an outstanding athlete, was also a great inspiration by showing me what hard work and dedication will get you. My family has always been very supportive of each other, helping whenever possible. My friends growing up were always there for me. They encouraged me to be the best person I could be.
EMF: When you were going through elementary, middle or high school, did you have a clear idea on what you wanted to do when you ‘grew up’?
NH: During my younger years I didn’t have the slightest clue of what I wanted to be when I grew up. Like most kids in elementary, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. In the middle school I was constantly changing my mind and at one point wanted to be a nail technician, interior designer, social worker, radiology technician, art therapist and many others. I was very indecisive in middle school. During high school my thoughts on what I wanted to be became more serious. I wanted to be a pharmacist and even got a job in a pharmacy for a couple years. Although I wanted to be a pharmacist, nursing was in the back of my mind all throughout high school but was afraid that people would think I was “copying” my older sister. Eventually I reached my senior year of high school and decided that nursing was what I wanted to do and am now currently working for my RN nursing degree.
EMF: When was it that you realized that only you could be responsible for your future, and in what ways did you take control of your life after?
NH: It was about middle school when I realized only I was responsible for my future because I started to notice that the choices I made were directly impacting my life. My parents always made a point of teaching us that we need to be careful and think before acting because there are always consequences, both good and bad, for everything we say and do.
EMF:Were there any people you looked up to when you were younger, and why?
NH: A few of the people I have always looked up to included my parents, my older sister, and my grandpa. I always looked up to my parents because they were constantly teaching my sisters and I valuable lessons to help us succeed in life. I have always looked up to my older sister because she was the oldest and was always the first to do something. Growing up I was shy, so I looked up to how brave she was to try things for the first time alone without having another sibling to tell her all about it first. I especially looked up to my grandpa the most. I looked up to him because as a man in his 90’s he worked harder than most men do in their 20’s. He was an honest, kind, and hardworking man. He was completely independent with his own farm, and still worked with his team of horses and carried his square bails by hand. He showed me what real hard work was.
EMF: Do you have any mentors now? If so, can you tell me about them and what they mean to you?
NH: The biggest mentor I have now would be my older sister, Autumn. She recently graduated from the same nursing program I am currently enrolled in so she is my go to person. She knows exactly what I am going through and knows the exact things to say when I am feeling down and stressed. She is always there for me when I need her and is constantly motivating me by telling me how great it is to be nurse and the kind of things she gets to do for people. She reminds me that although nursing school can be very difficult and stressful that it is worth it in the end.
EMF:Are there any people living or dead who you draw inspiration from?
NH: I am forever inspired by my grandpa and his extremely hard work as a man in his 90’s up until his very last day. I am also inspired by both my sisters who are both following their dreams. My older sister is following the dream she had since she was little as an obstetric nurse all while raising a toddler, and my younger sister who is following her dreams to be a great athlete traveling all over the world to play basketball. My parents will also always be an inspiration to me knowing that it wasn’t always easy raising us girls but with their hard work they were able to give us girls everything we needed and more.
EMF: Are there any causes that you feel strongly about, that you would like to give back to someday, or that you’ve been able to help out so far?
NH: I am unsure if this would be considered a cause, but I feel strongly about preserving my Native American heritage. Since the heritage of the tribe my family and community is from is considered lost, there are many people in the community who are trying to preserve what we have left. I would like to someday give back to the people who are doing their best to achieve the goal of preserving and passing on our heritage to younger generations. I would like to do this by learning as much as possible and doing my own research about my tribe to teach and pass on to others.
EMF: When did you get your first job, where was it, and what prompted you to get it?
NH: I got my first job when I was sixteen. I worked as maintenance at TISA (Trenton Indian Service Area) and helped rebuild the recreation area at the Trenton Lake during the summer. This was one of my favorite jobs I have had because it let me be creative and build things. It was also very fun because all my close friends worked there at the same time I did. I wanted this job because it was close to home, sounded fun, it helped my community, and I wanted to make my own money to pay for my own things and be an “adult”.
EMF: What keeps you motivated through long weeks of work and study?
NH: What keep me motivated during school is my sister, and my other classmates enrolled in the nursing program. My classmates are the most upbeat and supportive people I have ever met. We push each other to keep going even when it gets to be so difficult we question ourselves if we even want to be a nurse that badly. My classmates will always help one another when needed and will do their best to drill information into each other’s mind when there is a struggle to retain information.
EMF: What are your personal and professional goals?
NH: My personal and professional goals include being the best nurse I could possibly be. I want to help people whenever possible. The nursing field’s I want to work in are always changing. Therefore, I have not been able to decide what I want to do as a nurse but hope to eventually have some experience in all or most fields.
EMF: Why do you think it’s important for today’s undergraduates to have a clear understanding of debt and finances?
NH: I believe that debt and finances is a very important subject to understand because if you do not manage your money correctly you could go deeply into debt. It is important to know that you should not take as many loans out as possible and worry about paying them back later because they will build up on top of each other. I have family members who have taken loans out for all their schooling with plans to pay them when they were finished. These family members are in their 40’s still paying back loans unable to enjoy themselves with the money they make or reach the goals they set when going to school to eventually purchase a home or better vehicle.
EMF: Are you planning on any further academic pursuits after completing your current degree?
NH: After completing my RN nursing degree, I do plan to continue on for my BSN. I am unsure on if I will be going further on from there in my schooling or will work full time as a nurse.
EMF: After dedicating yourself to work and study, what do you do to wind down?
NH: To wind down and relax from long hours of studying, I like to do other forms of work. I enjoy helping my dad and uncle at our family farm. I also enjoy going to my current job as a welder to help me relax because it lets me use the more creative side of my personality. Other things I also like to do for relaxation is read a long and good book, hangout with friends, watch movies, and spend time with my niece. My niece always helps me wind down and relax with her very intelligent and sassy personality.