Tyler Burke

When Tyler Burke was little, he essentially lived in a hospital. Now he wants to spend most of his time there again, but this time working as a nurse.

Burke grew up with asthma and chronic illnesses that landed him in the hospital two to three times a month. His experiences led him to pursue a career in healthcare, an interest that developed during his time in the hospitals.

“I had a really cool male nurse and that kind of stuck with me,” said Burke. “He blew up a glove and knotted it and drew a face on it when I was about 5 or 6, and I thought that was the coolest thing, and I want to be able to do that for another kid.“

After graduating high school, Burke enrolled in St. Louis Community College and enrolled in the EMS program. During one of his clinical experiences, he was assigned to St. Mary’s Emergency Department and was enamored with the acuity and fast-paced nature of a hospital.

“I had a lot of cardiac patients, so I saw doctors placing central lines, along with a lot of renal patients with kidney stones, where they have to break up the stones and place stents,” recalled Burke. “Being able to help so many people within a little time nudged me to find a career in the hospital.”

He transferred to mbu, believing he would eventually apply to medical school. But after realizing what he could do with a nursing degree, he applied and was accepted into the second cohort of mbu’s School of Nursing. He plans to eventually become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

Because of the concept-based curriculum, Burke was confident going into clinicals.

“The program develops critical thinking,” said Burke. “Because of the curriculum, I can identify key factors fairly quickly and establish priority interventions that need to be performed for that patient. Other schools in the area aren’t doing that.”

A clinical experience at Mercy Hospital St. Louis confirmed that his confidence and experience as a patient would help children who, like himself, are growing up in a hospital.

There, he cared for a 17-year-old male patient who had been diagnosed with leukemia.

“He didn’t really have any male nurses, and he was on a pediatric floor. For him to have another guy at least somewhat close to his age to relate to, and explain things to him, and even be able to talk about other things that guys like to talk about, I really liked that,” recalled Burke. “Since I was frequently in hospitals as a child, I have realized that I have a special gift to be a light in these patients’ lives. So I will.”