What began as a mother's worst nightmare—watching her infant son struggle through multiple surgeries—has blossomed into an inspiring career path for Shaydie Boyd. The compassionate care University of Colorado College of Nursing alumni provided during her son's treatment at Children's Hospital Colorado planted the seeds for Boyd's professional calling.
“They had such an impact on me,” she says. “I thought, ‘How do I become the best mother I can be?’ And that was to become an educated mother. I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field, but when my son was in the hospital, that was when I decided to become a nurse.”
As a first-generation college student enrolled in the college’s BS in Nursing program, Boyd continues advocating tirelessly for her son, who she proudly reports is “flourishing” after his treatments.
“I’ve talked to so many people so I can give him as many resources as possible and make sure he has everything he needs,” she says. “I’m not becoming a nurse just for myself and my son, I’m doing it for everyone else who’s been through what we’ve been through."
Boyd says she took her son to Children’s Hospital when he started having seizures. She remembers how traumatic it was not knowing what was happening to her son. She would get a pit in her stomach every time she drove past this hospital. Rather than surrendering to fear, she chose transformation.
“I decided to channel this fear I had and turn it into something positive,” she says. “I knew I had to go back and turn a scary experience into something better.”
That determination led to four years of volunteer service at the very hospital that once represented her greatest anxieties.
A Role Model
Boyd’s busy schedule – taking care of her son, attending school, and being president of the CU Nursing Student Council – has become an inspiration to her classmates. Earlier in the semester, she was honored with a DAISY Award from the CU Nursing Alumni Association after receiving a record eight nominations.
“It was such a shock to have so many nominations,” she says. “I think the classmates who nominated me are people who have seen what’s going on behind the scenes in my life. They always tell me they have no idea how I do it – and sometimes I don’t know how I do it all – but it’s great seeing they look up to me.”
A Future in Nursing
With aspirations to return to CU Nursing for nurse practitioner training, Boyd currently focuses on family and pediatric care. She says she’ll bring a unique perspective to nursing, being able to empathize with patients going through tough times since she did the same with her son.
“I go into all my clinicals with a deep compassion for everyone,” she says. “I understand what people are going through and what they’re feeling. I can also talk to them about things they may not be thinking about, but I know what to ask since I’ve been there before."
