Kyle Hollar said he knew he wanted to work in healthcare for a long time, and part of pursuing that dream has been working as an EMT since he was 19.
“I decided to become an EMT because I love being in healthcare and it was a good starting point to climb the ladder,” Hollar said. “The certification was cheap, not time consuming and allowed me to get my first job in healthcare.”
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2025 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at spring commencement.
Although Hollar knew he wanted to work in the field, he said didn’t know the direction he wanted to initially take.
“I originally started out studying pre-physical therapy but realized nursing was a much better fit for me,” he said. “After doing some research and reaching out to the College of Nursing for advice, I found it was actually faster for me to enroll in the Graduate-Entry (GEM) Program than to switch my major from pre-PT to pre-nursing.”
Hollar, a former political science major, took advantage of UToledo’s GEM program, which allows students with non-nursing majors to pursue nursing and qualify for the registered nurse national council licensure exam. Through this program, he became a GEM representative for the Student Nurses Association.
Dr. Holly Myers, an instructor in the UToledo College of Nursing, said from the beginning of Hollar’s journey, he was determined to succeed.
“As a nursing student ambassador, Kyle has dedicated his time to promoting the College of Nursing through many on-campus events, interacting with prospective students and serving as a peer mentor,” Myers said. “Kyle’s willingness to help new nursing students navigate the demands of nursing school speaks volumes about his character and leadership. I have enjoyed watching Kyle grow throughout nursing school, and I have no doubt that Kyle will continue to make a positive impact in nursing.
Kyle Hollar, who will receive his master’s degree in nursing on May 2, plans to continue working at UTMC as a registered nurse.
“Kyle’s perseverance, empathy and commitment to the profession will make him an invaluable asset to any healthcare team.”
Set to graduate with his master’s of science degree in nursing on Friday, May 2, Hollar said he plans to continue working at the University of Toledo Medical Center after graduation.
“I was first hired as a medical assistant in UTMC’s Care Clinic three years ago,” Hollar said. “Ultimately, I want to keep working at UTMC. I love the Intermediate Care Unit I work on now and I really enjoy the nurses and staff I work with every day.”
Hollar said he is thankful for the opportunities UToledo has given him in his education and career.
“The most memorable thing for me about UToledo is getting to go through all the chaos of nursing school with the best cohort I could have ever asked for. I’m so thankful for every single one of them and I know I have made some true friends for life,” he said. “Nursing school is hard, but nursing is the most rewarding and fulfilling career. I can’t see myself doing anything else.”