Bergen Community College nursing student Kaydian Barrett, a 2026 graduate, wholeheartedly believes in her personal anchor phrase “it takes a village.”
“At Bergen, I didn’t just find a nursing program — I found a village,” said Kaydian. Crediting Bergen Community College Associate Director of Health Services and College nurse Dania Huie-Pasigan, she said, “Dania is part of that village.”
Kaydian recognizes Dania for standing at the core of what makes a community “a community” at Bergen and for providing the necessary support for her and her younger brother, Jahnoi Barrett – a 2020 Bergen graduate – who was born with Dandy Walker Malformation. Jahnoi was a Bergen student in the College’s Turning Point program.
As a full-time day nursing student who worked full-time at night in a hospital, she has relied on Dania’s support more than she can express. “Dania has been a constant source of both academic and emotional encouragement,” she said.
After a night shift, Kaydian would attend school with Jahnoi, who had class later in the day. Kaydian felt secure and comforted knowing that she could drop off Jahnoi in Bergen’s Office of Health Services so that he could “hang out” with Dania.
Since then, Dania has educated Kaydian on how health services operates and shared opportunities to participate in “Lunch and Learn” programs and Health Week events. Through Dania’s mentorship, Kaydian has received support and guidance in the nursing field. “I gained confidence through her guidance in developing clinical skills and communication with clients or patients,” said Kaydian.
During Kaydian’s clinicals, she was asked to serve as the “student charge nurse” during a rotation and to support Level 1 students with manual blood pressure readings. According to Kaydian, one seemingly simple interaction with her younger brother has created a ripple effect of immense growth for a future nurse.