Graduate Spotlight: Cristina DeVore

Cristina DeVore, a registered nursing (RN) graduate at Northampton Community College (NCC) will be this year’s Pocono campus commencement speaker. She’s already stepping into her career as a registered nurse at St. Luke University Health Network (SLUHN) Monroe Campus. 

DeVore discovered her passion for nursing during her senior year of high school after taking an anatomy class, so, she enrolled in the health sciences program at NCC and earned her associate’s degree in 2024.  Since then, she’s embraced the challenge of a field where she can help pediatric patients, which motivated her to continue with a nursing degree at the College.  

She discovered that she’d like to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during a job shadow with a respiratory therapist. After completing her practicum in a NICU she feels sure that this area is her dream nursing specialty. She says it’s a privilege to provide care for babies on a critical level. 

At NCC, she found more than just an education—she found a community. “My small class has become like another family,” she shares. “From group chats to study sessions and celebrating after finals, we’ve supported each other every step of the way.” 

This nursing graduate balanced challenges along the way, including relying on others for transportation early in her college journey. Through determination—and her work as a peer tutor at the Learning Center—she was able to purchase her first car during her time at the College. Earning the Dorothy Wolfe Memorial Scholarship and the Maryann Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship also helped alleviate financial burden during her time at NCC. 

Beyond the classroom, DeVore was involved in Active Minds and the Nursing Student Organization (NSO), where she built meaningful connections and strengthened her time management and leadership skills.  

“Take everything one step at a time. It can feel overwhelming, especially at the start, but stay organized, ask questions, and trust the process,” is DeVore’s advice for those just getting started in the program.  

Looking ahead, DeVore plans to continue her education by earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing before becoming a NICU nurse.