Maren Stiles’ educational journey at Auburn culminated in her being selected as a Student Marshal at the Summer 2022 Commencement. Her tour started a few years ago knowing that as an Auburn resident, she would attend Auburn University, “because of how much every student I spoke with raved about their time at Auburn when I was applying for colleges. Each of them described how they were able to find their own niche friends and interests while also being able to branch out and try new things. My older brother went to Auburn, and I was able to be a student at Auburn my last year along with both of my younger brothers.”
Why did you choose nursing? I always knew that healthcare was the field that I would fit best in but was unsure about what would be right for me. I decided on nursing where I could work with and represent marginalized populations. As nurses are the front-line caregivers for their patients and strive to advocate for their best interests, my goal is to be able to provide the best and most holistic care to all patient populations. Through my clinical experiences and getting to meet some incredible nurses, I have further learned what it means to care for a patient and how important a nurse is.
What do you value most about the nursing program? I loved how immersive and inclusive Auburn's nursing program was compared to other nursing programs in the state of Alabama. Auburn does a fantastic job of having very approachable and compassionate faculty that are willing to go the extra mile to make you feel empowered. The program is also designed for education to be a combination of different learning styles for the most well-rounded education. Their constant strides toward inclusion and diversity within the college and the nursing field make them an outstanding program.
I am so grateful to the faculty and staff for how kind and resourceful they have been. AUCON professors have provided me with so much confidence, motivation, and advice that they have empowered me to be the best version of myself.
What is the greatest asset of AUCON? To be flexible to change and accepting growth. This skill has helped me transition from student to nursing student and now as a new graduate. Whenever a challenge came my way instead of backing down, I would pause, rethink, and accept what the new future had in store for me.
How has AUCON prepared you for success after graduation? Coming from a prestigious and well-known nursing program, I feel very welcome and prepared to enter the workforce. Many hospitals have a strong desire to hire Auburn nurses because they know about our knowledge base and our hard work. Specifically, with working as president of The Initiative for Representation in Nursing, I was able to see firsthand how hospitals notice our impact. With branching out the organization professionally by making a LinkedIn page, hospitals were commenting and commending our work. This program fosters professional growth in all its students, and I feel very prepared to take on this new stage of life because of this program.
During her time at Auburn, Stiles served as a Camp War Eagle counselor and head counselor, as Emerge team leader, as member education assistant and vice president of education for her social sorority, as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion on the Panhellenic Cabinet, as a nursing student ambassador, and as president of the Initiative for Representation in Nursing (IRN). She was a member of several clubs and honor societies such as Rho Lambda, Sigma Theta Tau, NICU club, and SNA. “My involvement in organizations was prompted by my desire to build my confidence and develop relationship-building skills and to being able to speak in front of large audiences or lead an organized group.”
Favorite experience at Auburn has been being president of IRN, which “allowed me to grow my creativity, leadership, and passion for service. This role taught me a lot about myself and gave me opportunities to represent Auburn and the College of Nursing. In the future, I hope to find other places and organizations where I can volunteer to continue giving back and providing healthcare and health education.”
Her career goals? Stiles will start off her career as a critical care nurse in an intensive care setting at a hospital in Birmingham. “As I continue to grow my skills and learn, I hope to transition into education roles like serving as a clinical instructor or a preceptor. My ultimate career goal is to come back and teach at a nursing school.”
AUCON wishes her much success as she travels forward in her nursing journey!
