Students to Watch: Clair DeGeorge

Clair DeGeorge, a 2021 nursing graduate from Anchorage, Alaska, has always been passionate about two things — science and hockey.

As a freshman in high school, DeGeorge left home to play hockey at the Shattuck-St.Mary preparatory school in Fairbault, where she helped guide the school to three consecutive national championships. She also was a member of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Under-18 Select Team at the Under-18 Series versus Canada, participated in USA Hockey’s 2016 Women’s National Festival and attended the 2016 Girls Select U18 Player Development Camp.

DeGeorge’s experience in Shattuck-St.Mary’s BioScience Center of Excellence led to her interest in nursing. When Bemidji State offered her the chance to continue her pursuit of hockey while obtaining a nursing degree, she couldn’t refuse.

“Most schools don’t allow you to do that, but both programs have done an amazing job working together to ensure I can accomplish both my career and athletic goals,” the hockey forward said.

In the 2019-2020 Beaver Hockey season, DeGeorge appeared in 35 of 37 games, was named a WCHA Scholar Athlete and selected to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time in her career.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, DeGeorge said the nursing program was quick to adapt and transition in-person classes to online or hyflex layouts despite the fact that many included a lab component.

“We were supposed to have clinicals, which is where I’d get most of my hands-on experience,” DeGeorge said. “Instead, we did simulations and I learned a lot through this program.”

After graduating in May, DeGeorge admits there are days when she feels overwhelmed by the future, but is grateful for the support system she has found with Bemidji State’s Dr. Julie Curtis, assistant professor of nursing, and Dr. Jessica LeTexier, associate professor of nursing.

“Dr. Curtis was always available to talk. I know that if I had a question the night before class she’d answer right away,” DeGeorge said. “Dr. LeTexier was my advisor and has helped a lot with managing hockey and classes.”

Prepared to enter the nursing world during a pandemic, DeGeorge recognized the importance of getting as much experience as she could during her senior year, even if that meant making mistakes along the way.

“We aren’t going to know everything, but we practiced and learned every chance we got,” she said. “It’s on us to realize what we need to do and be proactive in getting experience.”

Even though the pandemic has adjusted her academic experience, DeGeorge appreciates the learning curve and is excited by the potential she sees in those around her. The challenges have equipped her to better handle crises as a professional nurse, she said.