People of Brown County – Nicole Stripling

Growing up in Green Bay, 23-year-old Nicole Stripling moved to northern Michigan to pursue a degree in kinesiology at Central Michigan University.

She said she always knew she wanted to go into health care, but found herself unsure of what to do with her degree – which she said is usually used to be a physical therapist or physician's assistant.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. "I was like, 'wow, nurses are doing a whole lot, and there's always going to be a need for them," Stripling said.

She said she found a fast track to obtaining a bachelor's degree in nursing, which would only take her 15 months, returned to her hometown and is now attending the Bellin College of Nursing.

In her free time, Stripling said she enjoys going to the gym, cooking and shopping for just about anything, as well as going for walks and enjoying the beautiful summer weather.