Students sticking together: Zuzana Budzak’s story

Zuzana Budzak hopes to be the kind of nurse who will make a difference in people’s lives—just like the nurses who made a difference in hers.

Zuzana has undergone multiple surgeries and is grateful to the nurses who took excellent care of her during each, but when her son, who was four years old at the time, had surgery, Zuzana discovered which career path she wanted to pursue.

“We didn’t know what it was, but we were thankful it was benign. It was scary, and it was during COVID, which multiplied my worries. We were not allowed on the recovery unit until after the surgery, which took longer than expected and made me worry more,” she said.

While she was sitting in the waiting room, a nurse walked in to let Zuzana know her son’s surgery was successful and that he would be in the recovery room for at least one more hour. “I was so worried, and I really appreciated that she came down to talk to me,” she said.

The compassion shown by this nurse made a big impact on Zuzana.

Zuzana’s passion, combined with her life experiences, led her to choose a career in nursing. “I like to help people. I know it’s kind of a cliché when people say that, but I do love helping people,” she said. “My life experiences got me thinking about how nurses are amazing, and they can truly make a difference in patients’ outcomes. I know the nurses I have had made a difference, and that’s what I want to do.”

Zuzana also is thankful for the nursing instructors at Moraine Valley and the good friends in her nursing classes. “Without our great instructors, like Miss (Leona) Lilly and the teamwork with the other students, I don’t know if we’d make it because we all know exactly what we’re going through at the same time,” she said. “We cry together. We laugh together and we complain together, just like a family.”

Upon graduation in December 2025, Zuzana plans to continue her education while working as an oncology nurse. “I want to keep going with my education, and who knows, maybe one day I will come back to teach at Moraine Valley,” she said.

Zuzana’s story is one in a multi-part series about a cohort of Moraine Valley Nursing Program students who navigated college’s challenges and triumphs together.