As a child, Zachary Apkarian was in and out of hospitals and spent one memorable stay at Boston Children’s Hospital on a birthday.
It was the actions of a nurse during that stay that inspired the teenager to pursue a career in healthcare.
“When I was younger, I was in Boston Children’s Hospital, and I had a nurse sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me because I had surgery right around my birthday. I want to be that nurse who does that for a person,” Apkarian said.
Now a senior at Niskayuna High School and Capital Region BOCES, Apkarian is taking that passion to help others to college, returning to Boston to attend UMass and study nursing.
“When I graduate, I want to be a travel nurse and work in trauma. But right now, I want focus on preparing to be the best nurse I can be and hopefully one day make a positive impact on someone,” Apkarian said.
Apkarian appreciates that BOCES provides the ability to test career choices before committing to college.
“I like that BOCES has allowed me the chance to experience nursing and decide if this is really the career for me before I go to college,” the high school student said.
Director of Health Careers and Services Paula Negri praised the scholar.
“I have known Zach since he was in Kindergarten,” she said. “Zach has always had a compassionate and caring persona that is perfect for a career in healthcare.”
Apkarian is one of about 100 students enrolled in the Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers program this school year. The program prepares students to enter the healthcare industry at the level of their choice.
Students have the option of taking a one-year program to earn certification as a Home Health Aide (HHA) and Personal Care Aide (PCA) or a separate one-year program to earn certification as a Nurse Assistant (NA) and PCA. Or students can take both courses during their junior and senior years.