SU student gets summer position with prestigious Mayo Clinic

Southern University School of Nursing student Fred Reed has been offered a position in the Summer III Nursing Program in the Department of Nursing at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Reed is the only student accepted from Louisiana and the first student to represent a Historically Black College and University in the history of the initiative.

The junior nursing student from Lake Providence said he always felt he had a shot at being selected. "I was a little nervous at first about applying, but I thought I had the qualifications to be chosen," Reed said. "I am grateful for the chance to be able to work at one of the best medical facilities in the world."

Reed was selected through a competitive process. He was chosen from a national pool of over 1,500 applicants. The 10-week program begins June 4.

"I took a risk when I applied for the position. I knew what I was up against, but I felt that after being here for almost three years, I had a good chance," Reed said. "This is the reason why I came to Southern."

The Mayo Clinic is considered one of the top hospitals in the U.S. Patients are referred to the Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world.

Nursing students participating in the Summer III Nursing Program get an opportunity to expand their nursing critical thinking skills while working alongside a registered nurse

Reed said what he will learn at the Mayo Clinic will improve his career choices and he will be able to share what he learns with his classmates.