
Lessons beyond the bedside
Throughout her academic journey and personal experiences, Trinity Marsh has come to recognize that nursing is far more than bedside care—it is a dynamic, multifaceted profession that integrates science, empathy, advocacy and leadership.
Inspired early on by her mother’s proactive approach to wellness and positive interactions with nurse practitioners, Trinity’s decision to pursue nursing was solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic after witnessing how the virus differently affected various communities and how nurses swiftly rose to the occasion and responded to this drastic event with selflessness and courage.
“Even to this day, I don't think nurses received enough credit for the tireless hours they worked and the amount of energy they spent making sure that patients were safe,” she reflects. “I really admired their resilience and how candid they were about their experiences during the pandemic.”
Trinity chose the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing because of its strong reputation, its direct-admit nursing program and the opportunity to be a recipient of the prestigious Cincinnatus Presidential Scholarship. These factors provided both clarity and confidence in her academic path and opened the door to a wealth of experiences on campus and beyond.
My view of nursing has expanded significantly throughout the past four years. I now understand the countless directions it can take you...
Trinity Marsh
Trinity (wearing a blue t-shirt) and her peers in Chiba, Japan, during the Global Health study abroad program
Trinity’s time at UC has been marked by deep community involvement and meaningful impact. As a student in the University Honors Program (UHP) and a UHP Belong Coordinator, she has helped varied students find community and a true sense of belonging. She has cultivated strong relationships with faculty and peers through her involvement in programs such as the Bates Parker Leadership Program and the Global Health Nursing Ambassador Program.
Her commitment to global health led her to study abroad in the United Kingdom and Japan, and she completed the CDC-funded University of Michigan Future Public Health Leaders Program—a transformative summer experience that affirmed her belief in nursing as a tool for systemic change and brought her the opportunity to present at the CDC’s John R. Lewis Scholars Symposium. Trinity was also inducted into the Beta Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the world’s largest international nursing honor society, and recently served as the student speaker at their induction ceremony.
“All the things I’ve been involved in took me stepping outside my comfort zone and surrounding myself with the right people,” she shares. “There are so many students here, and it can feel overwhelming at first, but those connections made all the difference.”
Trinity (center front) and her clinical group at the hematology and oncology unit at UC Health during junior year
Now in the final stretch of her undergraduate program, Trinity is preparing for finals, the NCLEX and the emotional weight of finishing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. As a first-generation college student, this moment represents more than just academic achievement—it’s a reflection of the growth, resilience, and purpose she has found along the way.
“My view of nursing has expanded significantly throughout the past four years. I now understand the countless directions it can take you — clinical practice, education, policy, advocacy and global health initiatives.”
Following graduation, Trinity will begin her career at the Cleveland Clinic in her hometown, where she recently completed job shadowing experiences in the oncology, progressive cardiac care and general surgical units. Though she is still deciding on a specialty, her long-term goals include pursuing graduate school to become a nurse practitioner and potentially becoming a nursing educator.
“I’m passionate about expanding my scope of practice and doing more outreach in varied communities,” she says. “Ultimately, I want to continue growing as a nurse and as a leader, so I can have a meaningful impact on patient care and healthcare systems.”
Featured image: Trinity (first on the left) and some of the friends she met at the University of Michigan Future Public Health Leaders Program. Photo/Trinity Marsh
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