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Nursing

Fast-Paced: Nursing Student-Athlete Ava Ruggieri Reflects on the Game, Goals and Getting There

Ava Ruggieri Lax -sm

 

“What I love about the sport of lacrosse is the competitive atmosphere, fast paced style of play, and the team sport aspect,” explains junior nursing student Ava Ruggieri, a Division 1 athlete. The Aston, Pa. native plays defense for Villanova’s women’s lacrosse team.

In this interview, Ava talks about being fiercely focused while chasing big goals.  

Thanks to Ava for sharing her answers with sophomore Lauren Casimiro for this story. 

 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR SPORT?

What I love about the sport of lacrosse is the competitive atmosphere, fast paced style of play, and the team sport aspect.

WHAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR SPORT OR HOW YOU PLAY IT?

Lacrosse is not the most common sport and many people do not know how to play it. The Northeast is the ‘hot spot’ for lacrosse, but it is gaining popularity across the country as the years go on. Men’s lacrosse is known for its physicality, but I think many would be surprised just how physical the women’s game is. We do not wear any padding and only use goggles and a mouthguard for protection. I’ve had far too many bruises on my arms over the years from being stick checked to prove that women’s lacrosse certainly is a contact sport.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN TERMS OF YOUR PERSONAL OR TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

In terms of my personal accomplishments, I am most proud to say that I am the first person in my family to play college athletics at the division one level. It took years of hard work, determination, and love for the game to get to where I am today. For team accomplishments, I am proud to say that we are having one of the most successful years in program history. We are currently 8-2 (8 wins and 2 losses), a big improvement from our 5-11 record from last year. We are hungry to bring home the first Big East Conference championship win for the program. 

 

Clinic Photo Ava Ruggieri - c

DESCRIBE THE TIME COMMITMENT

The time commitment involved with playing a division one college sport and being a nursing major can be exhausting at times. Playing lacrosse is a full-time job in addition to being in school full time. When I am not in class or doing my homework for nursing, I am practicing, lifting, conditioning, watching film, or scouting our opponents. Being a nursing student-athlete does require a significant time commitment both on and off the field, but it can be equally rewarding to know that you manage both successfully.

WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL NURSING STUDENT-ATHLETE?

The two main characteristics needed to be a successful nursing student-athlete are discipline and organization. You need to stay disciplined to the work required of a division one athlete: showing up to practice ready to work hard, keeping up with your endurance and strength, and watching the scout so you know how to beat the opposing team. As far as academics is concerned, being organized can help you stay on top of things and avoid stress. I try to plan out assignment due dates and study time for tests. Staying disciplined to that plan has worked for me and kept me from falling behind, especially when my sport is in-season. There is still time to have fun as a college student, but you must be disciplined.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES AS A NURSING STUDENT-ATHLETE?

My biggest challenge as a nursing student-athlete is finding a way to balance not only school and sports, but also my social life and mental health. It can be hard to find time to perform well in school, in your sport, hang out with your friends, reach out to family, and make sure you are participating in self-care. It’s important to take some time to yourself, even if that means staying in for the weekend and relaxing.

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION AS EITHER AN ATHLETE OR NURSING STUDENT?

I find my inspiration as both an athlete and a nursing student from my parents. My parents always allowed me to try different sports as a child, so I was able to explore what I really loved to do and stuck with that. My father is also a first responder, so that is where my urge to help those in need comes from and watching the way my mother balanced all her motherly duties and working a job made me feel like I would be able to balance being a nursing student and athlete in college.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR NURSING CAREER?

I would first like to start out as an emergency room nurse. I think the fast-paced environment is what I am accustomed to now as a student-athlete and will keep my interest. I eventually plan to go back to school to become a family nurse practitioner.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AN INCOMING NURSING STUDENT-ATHLETE?

One piece of advice I would give an incoming nursing student-athlete is to enjoy these next four years of your life because it will all be worth it in the end. Being an athlete teaches you valuable skills that will help you so much in your career as a nurse, and if you can manage being an athlete and being in the nursing school, you can do anything in life.