Tracy Tew works at Health Services as a licensed practical nurse, providing client services such as urgent care, vital signs checks, blood draws, medication administration, and immunizations. Tew works primarily in medical services, but she also works with counseling services to provide clients with the services they request.
She attended Idaho State University, and pursued her nursing credentials there. Tew says that she entered this field because she enjoys helping others – she has been a nurse for over 17 years and loves what she does everyday. She loves all parts of patient care, but especially drawing blood and starting IVs.
Here on campus, Tew believes that there’s something here for everyone – working at Boise State is “just a great place to work and it’s more than just one thing. The patient demographic, my coworkers, the hours and location make it a perfect place for me.”
Working at a university clinic aligns with Tew’s values more so than non-university clinics, as she believes they offer so much more to the clients. “Many of our patients are students, and many are away from home for the first time. As Health Services nurses, of course we provide screenings and medications but we also provide a place for our patients to feel comfortable, safe, and welcome.”
At Health Services, Tew continues her professional development through in-person classes, online and hands-on training, and regular staff meetings. Each year, the department selects a few staff members to attend a conference run by the American College Health Association, and last summer she had the opportunity to attend. Tew found it to be a great way to continuously earn educational credits, and to learn the health services other colleges are providing all around the country.
Tew says that she came out of COVID-19 feeling somewhat down, but it made her appreciate what she does at Boise State even more. “Health Services is a wonderful asset to the Boise State University campus … The nurses, providers, clinical staff and customer service representatives I work with are second to none. We came out of Covid a little deflated from a lack of support but have always worked hard and put our patients first.”
Julia Beard, the executive director of Health Services, spoke to Tew’s outstanding work and professional abilities. “She has a unique skill in combining professional relationships with friendship, and that approachability carries over into great patient encounters and investment in her work. She puts the patient at ease with easy conversation and a sense of humor.” Tew works alongside Ali Komlenic, a family nurse practitioner in Health Services. Beard praises their partnership, saying that “together they are a smooth-running machine.”
Tew says that she has always been surprised of how many students she works with who don’t know of all the services Health Services provides, and as a mother herself, she feels she would breathe easier if she knew what her children have access to. Tew believes that both the services offered at Health Services and the compassion they show all students are to be shared and celebrated with everyone attending Boise State, as well as those looking to join the campus.
Tew advises all students to “keep an open mind and an open heart, and to never be afraid to try something new.”
Boise State Health Services is an integrated health clinic, providing counseling, medical, and wellness services for all students and staff. Each area of care has websites you can use to learn more about individual mission statements, hours of operation and contact information, staff members, and additional information.