ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A Galen College nursing student saved a man’s life between classes, using what she learned in school.
“When you talk about proud – it’s like way beyond that,” said one of the student’s instructors, Robin Taylor. “Not always do we as faculty or staff get that immediate reinforcement that what we’re doing matters.”
Student Lesly Arroyo-Peña was on her way back to class from lunch when she got stuck in traffic, because someone was in the road.
“That man was like literally just lying there, and I’m like is he dead?” she told 8 On Your Side. “I was like, do I get off? Do I drive and then like tell my teachers?”
Arroyo said she knew that time was of the essence.
“I was scared, but like, that’s what motivated me the most, I guess,” Arroyo said.
Checking out her patient, Arroyo recognized signs of an overdose, so she used a bottle of Narcan she had been saving in her car just in case. After two doses, he started waking up.
“I felt very happy that I was able to help,” Arroyo said. “Honestly that was like the highlight of my last semester.”
Arroyo said she gained some confidence through the experience, and she learned to never underestimate what a difference her basic training can make.
“Some might have been afraid and like uh somebody else will take care of that,” Taylor said. “She was the lifesaver, and she did not consider herself. … As a faculty member, that’s success for us.”
