Allegra Ochs

Allegra has been a nurse intern at Monongahela Valley Hospital since May 2020, working in both the progressive care and intensive care units. She has also had clinical experiences at Washington Hospital, St. Clair Hospital and Ruby Memorial Hospital, with her most recent clinical experience in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Ruby Memorial Hospital, an experience that affirmed her desire to become an ICU nurse.

Her love of music led her to join the Lamplighters Touring Choir’s service trip to Romania in 2019 and to be involved in musicals and plays in the Department of Fine Arts, along with taking private voice lessons.

In addition to being a member of the Lamplighters Touring Choir, Allegra is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and was the Nursing Faculty Organization Student Representative in 2019-2020. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, live theater and reading. She is a member of Saint Anne’s Church in Rostraver, Pennsylvania.

Allegra is the daughter of Aaron and Kristy Ochs and has two younger siblings, Avery and Aidan. Allegra credits her many musical-related extracurriculars to her mom, who is a music teacher.

What made you choose Waynesburg? 

I spent a good bit of time looking at the quality of every aspect of every school I had visited. For me, the allure of Waynesburg University was that it had one of the top nursing programs in the state, and the University’s mission was centered around service. These were two important factors when making my college decision.

What is your major?

I am a nursing student. I was very excited to attend Waynesburg University’s nursing program because it is consistently ranked as one of the best nursing programs in the state. This was incredibly important to me, as I wanted to get the best education possible so that I could become a competent and successful nurse. WU’s Nursing Program focuses on holistic care, which means taking care of every part of a patient: body, mind, spirit and emotions. I felt that a program centered around holistic care would teach me how to take care of a patient with compassion and empathy. I have been provided with exceptional clinical experiences at great hospitals, and I feel that our faculty members are very knowledgeable and are excellent nurses to look up to.

How have you grown while at Waynesburg University?

I feel that I have grown into a more compassionate and serving person. Waynesburg University has taught me a great deal about the importance of serving others and serving God. The experiences I have had here encourage me to strive to look for opportunities to lend myself to others.

What special opportunities have you had at WU and how did you grow through them?

During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to join the Lamplighters Touring Choir’s service trip to Romania. We visited an orphanage, Caminul Felix, assisted with various projects around the campus, and performed a concert to raise money for them, as well. I gained worldly knowledge from this experience as well as strengthened my faith and deepened my empathy and compassion for those less fortunate.

What are your professional goals/plans for the future, and how is WU helping you work toward them?

My plan is to become a critical care nurse and eventually return to school to become a certified, registered nurse anesthetist. WU has provided me with the skills and knowledge to be a strong nurse, and my senior-level courses have provided me with opportunities to prepare for job searching and interviewing with resume reviews and practice interview questions.

Is there someone at WU who has been a mentor to you or who has had a positive influence on your life?

Someone who has been a positive influence on my life has been Mrs. Melanie Catana. Through choir and private voice lessons, she has provided me with many opportunities to continue sharing my love of music. I am so thankful she has given me wonderful experiences at WU.

What is one thing the pandemic has taught you about yourself?

One thing the pandemic has taught me about myself is that I am more resilient than I thought I was. Working as a health care worker during a pandemic, I discovered that I am strong and I can withstand many hardships with the love of God.

What is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place is inside Roberts Chapel at sunset. With the sun streaming through the tall windows, it is a very peaceful place to go to pray or think, especially when the semester can feel very overwhelming. 

What is your favorite WU tradition?

My favorite WU tradition is the Thanksgiving dinner at the dining hall. The professors serve the dinner, and it’s so much fun to share a Thanksgiving dinner with all of your friends. Not to mention the delicious food! That time in the semester can be quite stressful, so this is an enjoyable way to share in friendship and relax.