Meet Victoria Trang

Whitworth Cadre Two
'08 Graduate (B.S. Nursing)
Mount Rainier High School '04

"Act Six challenged me to look into myself and ask, 'What do I really want to see change in the world...what is it that I wouldn't mind doing every single day and not getting paid for [if that were the circumstance]?'"
-Victoria Trang

The definition of vocation

She may not have known the technical jargon at the time, but early in the Act Six training process Victoria Trang began searching for what is known as a "vocation." A vocation is an occupation, either professional or voluntary, that is carried out more for its altruistic benefit than for income, which might be regarded as a secondary aspect of the vocation, however beneficial. "I found that in nursing," Victoria says stating what she believes to be the answer to her early questions.

Christ-centered activist

Before joining the Act Six Program Victoria was significantly involved in school and church activities. In addition to the academic rigor she faced as a part of the IB program at Mount Rainier High School, she served as the vice-president of the Christians in Action Club. Victoria was also involved in several other Christ-centered activities in her community such her church youth group, as a youth mentor for youth in the Eastside Community Center Church, and as a member of the band at her church.

A new perspective on leadership

"I know this sounds cliché and kind of corny but Act Six has changed my life," Victoria says, describing the impact the program has had on her current perspective on leadership. Even with all her involvement and experience as a leader in the community, Victoria admits, "I never thought of leadership as 'servant leadership' until I got into Act Six."

Outside of the box, into the real world

In gaining this new perspective, Victoria continued to serve and lead through the Whitworth campus ministry program as a Small Group Leader. Her main objective in this role was to bring a commitment to authenticity and journeying outside of the box with spiritual topics. Victoria has also been involved in a community oriented organization called the Association of Intercollegiate Nursing Students (AINS) as a part of the nursing school in downtown Spokane. There, she has been able to apply her freshly adopted leadership perspectives beyond Act Six and beyond Whitworth. The experience has been a useful preview in preparing her for what she can expect once she enters the medical field and the world beyond.

More than just a good job

The present population of nurses is aging and approaching retirement. As the shortage of nurses increases, a dramatic increase in salaries for nurses will follow. Hospitals and other facilities already are competing for nurses with sign-on bonuses, and packages including cars, childcare and/or eldercare assistance, and housing assistance. In light of the current trends, going into to nursing is a smart move for college student these days. For students like Victoria, however, pursuing a career in nursing was never about the job security. Nursing is her passion, her vocation, and one of the primary ways she intends on carrying out her vision of servant leadership in the future.

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