The first day Colin Zerbe walked into anatomy and physiology, he found himself in a room with about 130 students. Coming from a small high school, the moment felt overwhelming. But he followed a piece of advice he had heard before: Sit in the front row. That simple decision became the start of something bigger. The students he met there are still people he talks to, learns from and leans on today.

Unlike many of his peers, Colin did not come from a family background in medicine -– his mother is a teacher, and his father is a banker. However, his natural compassion and ability to connect with people made nursing feel like a fitting path.

“I’ve always been a compassionate person, and I’ve always been someone who gets along with people easily,” Colin said.

Nursing gave him a way to turn those instincts into a career. He was also drawn to the profession for practical reasons, including its stability and long-term demand.

“Nursing is such a high-demand job where there’s so much job security,” Colin said. “They’re always going to need someone who can perform hands-on care and take care of people.”

He arrived at PennWest Clarion knowing he wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and he has never looked back.

“I came into freshman year wanting to be a nurse, and I don’t regret it at all,” he said.

What stands out most in his story is the way growth happens step by step. Freshman year began with rigorous science courses. Sophomore year brought clinicals and a new level of responsibility. Junior year added even more real-world experience, including his work as a patient care technician at UPMC Northwest, where he observes nurses up close and learns from them every day. Those experiences have helped him connect what he is learning in the classroom to the kind of hands-on care and clinical experiences that shape confident nurses.

PennWest’s nursing program has challenged Colin academically while also giving him the support to keep moving forward. He credits professors with helping students learn how to study, how to think, and how to keep progressing in a demanding field.

“The teachers are so good at helping you learn how to study, prepare for the nursing profession and work hard toward it,” he said.

He emphasized that the program prepares students for the NCLEX examination using next-generation questions throughout the curriculum so students can build confidence before they ever sit for the licensure exam.

That preparation matters because Colin’s goal is clear. He wants “the opportunity to be a quality caregiver.” He sees nursing as a profession that combines stability, purpose and real human connection. He sees how wide the path can be. "

“There is so much you can do with a nursing degree,” he said, from direct patient care to other roles across healthcare.

At PennWest, Colin’s story became one of steady growth, meaningful connections and a clearer sense of purpose. What started with one seat in the front row has grown into a future built on service, learning and community.