Scholar Spotlight: Lucas Nuzzarello – Student by Day, Nurse by Night

Meet Lucas Nuzzarello: registered nurse on a fast-paced trauma unit and a Saint John Fisher University student enrolled in the family nurse practitioner program.

For Lucas, his decision to pursue an advanced degree stemmed from a desire to bring quality, accessible care directly to working people in the community. After four years of medical experience, he could see the value of meeting people right where they are, rather than waiting for them to come to a clinic.

The Heart of Our Healthcare Community 

Lucas first knew he was meant to pursue a nursing degree after his grandfather’s hospitalization. “I remember watching the nurses care for him and how meticulous, attentive, and compassionate they were. I remember thinking that these people matter so much, and most patients never fully realize it.”

For Lucas, nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. While doctors may visit a patient for only a few minutes, Lucas spends hours with his patients, absorbing all the tiny details of their day and building real relationships when they are needed the most. 

Lucas Nuzzarello

“That’s actually what I wish more people understood about nursing,” said Lucas. “Nurses are often the ones at the bedside translating complex medical information, catching subtle changes in a patient’s condition, and advocating behind the scenes.”

Solving the Rochester Healthcare Workforce Shortage

As Rochester faces a shortage in healthcare staff, Lucas sees his work as a necessary step for the region’s long-term health. By expanding his scope of practice, he aims to fill the gaps that leave many without timely access to a provider.

“Becoming a nurse practitioner is my way of being part of the solution. Nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to expand access because we’re able to reach patients in different settings that traditional healthcare doesn’t always touch.”

More Than Dollars from the Elizabeth Schmidt Nursing Scholarship

Pursuing an advanced degree while working full-time on a trauma unit is no easy feat. For Lucas, receiving the Elizabeth Schmidt Nursing Scholarship was about more than just financial aid. It was a reminder that his pursuit of an advanced family nurse practitioner degree mattered to someone in the community. 

“Scholarships like this one don’t just reduce financial stress. They show me that someone believes in what nurses are doing. That means a lot when you’re working night shifts, attending class, and completing clinicals. I hope my story resonates with someone else who’s mid-journey and wondering if it’s worth pushing through. It is.”

The Elizabeth Schmidt Nursing Scholarship was created to provide scholarships for students studying to become nurse practitioners in Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties. Lucas plans to give back directly to the region, describing his hope for a thriving Rochester as “one where people have access to consistent, quality care, not just when something goes wrong, but before it does.” 

Help Our Next Generation Grow

When we invest in scholarships, we invest in our future workforce. Professionals like Lucas are pursuing careers that give back to this community, and we’re proud to be in their corner.

You can help students in our region by making a one-time donation to our Education Fund or setting up a named scholarship. To learn more about setting up a scholarship fund or supporting local nursing students, please contact Kara Dwyer (kdwyer@racf.org), philanthropic planning officer, at Rochester Area Community Foundation. Help us show our local scholars that their community believes in them.