David Palmer
Allen College Class of 2012 (BSN)

Employment History

Currently I am a 3rd shift Charge Nurse at La Porte City Specialty Care. Previously, I have been in roles including Clinical Review Specialist at VGM (Homelink); Medical Supervisor at Biolife; 2nd shift Charge Nurse at Horizons Chemical Dependency Unit; and was employed at MercyOne (formerly Covenant) in Waterloo.

What led you to pursue your education with Allen College?

After completing anatomy and physiology courses, I realized I had a real love and passion for medicine and serving others in that capacity. I explored my educational options and was drawn to Allen’s accelerated BSN program and the exceptional NCLEX pass rate Allen College could offer.

Any accomplishments or proud moments?

I have been a part of some amazing teams that have accomplished some pretty incredible goals. Starting out in Chemical Dependency, I looked for small victories. Watching for that “aha” moment when the patient discovered their root cause for turning to self-medicating or choices and decisions that led to giving up their freedom. At BioLife, it was honing my skills of exactness while still keeping up with one of the highest producing plasma centers in the region. I also got to travel quite a bit with BioLife and had the opportunity to work with several nurses from around the country and even one from Canada. Meeting the recipients of the medications made possible by plasma donations was a highlight, as well – the gratitude they expressed was heartfelt and life changing.

Currently, I’m working with an amazing team at La Porte City Specialty Care. We have accomplished a deficiency-free annual state audit with a Superior Care Award in 2019 (only 5% of nursing facilities in Iowa accomplish this yearly). We have completed Silver Level National Quality Award with the American Health Care Association and are well on our way to completing Gold level. Ultimately, those two items were accomplished by each individual in our team, including myself, making daily commitments to provide the level of care we would want if the roles were reversed. One of my proudest moments just happened after mentoring my older brother after he finished his degree and entered the nursing field by passing his NCLEX on the first try.

What piece of advice would you give current Allen Students?

Live the advice given by Stephen Covey: “First seek to understand, then to be understood.” Communication is so important in your nursing career! Allen will give you every tool you need to become a fantastic healthcare provider. Trust the faculty, and work with them to accomplish your goals. They are amazing! I am currently starting the process to further my education and get my master’s degree and there is only one choice of college in my opinion, Allen College. You are in the right place even if it is hard and frustrating at times.