Spring Graduate Spotlight: Marissa Carroll
Nursing with Heart and Cultural Awareness
Bubbly, grounded, and a natural conversationalist, Marissa Carroll has a gift for making people feel safe and seen. Her ability to connect with patients on a human level is something her academic advisors noticed early on.
With a background that includes roles in allergy clinics, hospitals, and now over a year and a half at Alyeska Vascular Surgery, Carroll is no stranger to diverse clinical environments. This spring, she’s graduating from Alaska Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, adding to her Associate Degree in Nursing and building on years of hands-on experience.
Carroll discovered APU’s nursing program through word-of-mouth and quickly realized it was the perfect fit. “I really like the small-time vibe,” she says. “The one-on-one communication with my professors was awesome. Even when things got busy, they were always available and willing to help.” She speaks fondly of how deeply invested APU faculty are in their students’ success.
Centering Culture in Care
One of the most impactful aspects of her education has been APU’s emphasis on culturally safe, holistic care—especially for Alaska Native, Indigenous, and underserved populations across the state. “I have a lot of respect and appreciation for Alaska Native peoples’ subsistence lifestyle,” Carroll says. “If I could provide care in the villages, I would really love to. I know there’s generational trauma, so if I could provide a safe space for them to receive care, that would be one of my goals.”
Her favorite course? Community Health, which required 90 hours of service. “It was taxing at the time,” she admits, “but looking back, it was worth every moment.” She also explored specialized topics like lactation and sexual assault—areas she says she wouldn’t have otherwise had time to dive into, but which helped broaden her skills and sensitivity as a nurse.
Hospital settings, Carroll notes, often move too fast to account for cultural nuance. “You’re kind of oblivious to what’s going on sometimes, especially in fast-paced environments,” she reflects. “That class on cultural safety helped me identify how to make patients feel more comfortable. Alaska Native culture values the slowness of the world, which is something we can all learn from. If I could have slowed down more, I could have made patients feel more seen. I recognize that now and am really thankful for the awareness and skills.”
For her senior project, Carroll investigated the use of moderate sedation as an alternative to general anesthesia. “There’s been a shift away from general anesthesia because it can lead to more adverse reactions,” she explains. “Moderate sedation, which uses just two drugs, puts less strain on the body. It’s all about advocating and educating patients so they can get the best possible care.”
After graduation, Carroll plans to continue her work at Alyeska Vascular Surgery and, in time, pursue her dream of becoming a mother. Further down the road, she’s considering returning to school to become a nurse practitioner—especially if it means serving in remote or village-based settings.
Slow down. Be present.
Her advice to fellow students? “Bask in the moment and soak it in as much as possible. Be present. Try to immerse yourself in what you’re learning. If you don’t stop and take the moment, you’ll miss it and forget it.” In a world that moves at lightning speed, Carroll’s advice is a much-needed reminder to slow down and truly connect—with knowledge, with community, and with each other.
