Miguel Esteban didn鈥檛 always know he wanted to be a nurse. Like many young people fresh out of high school, he knew he wanted to make a meaningful impact鈥攈e felt that pull toward doing something of value. Initially, Miguel thought engineering was his path. It seemed logical, a STEM field with prestige and opportunity. But the deeper he went, the more he realized it wasn鈥檛 for him. Something was missing.
His journey wasn鈥檛 a straight line. In fact, it zigzagged through uncertainty and self-discovery. Miguel changed majors during his first semester at McMurry University. He felt a general pull toward the healthcare field, but nothing seemed to truly resonate鈥攗ntil he was given the chance to participate in a two-week nursing internship in the Dominican Republic. It was there, surrounded by the humbling experience of hands-on care and community, that everything clicked. He fell in love with nursing, and from that point on, he never looked back.
At McMurry, Miguel entered a nursing program that was, at the time, a collaborative effort with Hardin-Simmons University. The cohort was small鈥攋ust thirteen students. But that intimacy turned out to be a blessing. In that close-knit environment, Miguel found more than just classmates; he found a support system. Whether he needed emotional encouragement, mental resilience, or academic help, he had people around him who understood. That experience shaped him profoundly. Today, as a nurse, Miguel draws on those connections. He knows the value of relationships鈥攈ow essential it is to truly connect with patients, to treat not just symptoms, but human beings.
While nursing shaped his academics, Miguel also carved out time for other passions. From 2016 to 2019, he played on McMurry鈥檚 soccer team. He was also part of the Ko Sari social club, balancing sports and social life with the rigors of nursing school. These activities helped round him out鈥攏ot just as a student, but as a leader and teammate.
As Miguel reflects on the profession he now calls home, he wishes more people understood one thing: nursing isn鈥檛 confined to hospital walls. There鈥檚 a world of opportunity out there鈥攆rom flight nursing and aesthetics to roles in schools, home health, the military, education, and beyond. Nursing, he believes, offers incredible flexibility for those willing to explore it.
To thrive in nursing, Miguel emphasizes a few key qualities: the ability to problem-solve, adaptability, and above all, empathy. These are the skills that matter most when you’re face-to-face with someone in pain, fear, or vulnerability.
His advice for future nurses is simple but powerful: stay humble. Nursing isn鈥檛 about knowing everything鈥攊t鈥檚 about being open to learning from everyone around you, from fellow nurses to the patients themselves. He encourages authenticity and listening with genuine care. Sometimes, he says, all a person wants is someone to hear them out鈥攁nd in some cases, you might be the only person they get to talk to.
Balancing such an emotionally intense career with personal life isn鈥檛 easy, but Miguel has found his way. He keeps perspective by reminding himself that nursing is just one part of who he is. His faith, his family, and his friends ground him. At work, he gives 100%鈥攈e puts his life on pause to care wholeheartedly for his patients. But once he clocks out, he allows himself to fully engage in the things and people he loves. That boundary keeps him balanced.
Looking back, if Miguel could speak to his younger self, he鈥檇 offer this piece of wisdom: let life flow. Don鈥檛 rush. Enjoy each chapter for what it is. There鈥檚 no need to sprint toward the finish line. Everything will come together, just like it always has. 鈥淒ream big,鈥� he鈥檇 say, 鈥渁nd win big.鈥�
From uncertainty to purpose, Miguel Esteban鈥檚 story is one of self-discovery, compassion, and unwavering dedication鈥攁 reminder that the path to our calling isn鈥檛 always clear, but it鈥檚 always worth the journey.
Do you or an alum you know have a great post-McMurry story? We鈥檇 love to feature YOU! Contact the Alumni Office at聽alumni@mcm.edu聽to schedule an interview.