By A single trip to the hospital changed the course of his life.
When Peter Bukowski was in his senior year of high school, he didn’t have a clear idea of what he wanted to do in life. He had a couple of thoughts of things he could try, but none felt quite right.
Then, one day Jesse Anderson, a post-anesthesia care nurse, invited him to work at Kootenai Health, a hospital in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.
He invited Bukowski to shadow him, and to be his assistant for a day.
So, on March 24, 2022, Anderson took him Bukowski all over the hospital from the intensive care unit, to the progressive care unit, and even the emergency room.
Bukowski learned about all sorts of technical equipment and enjoyed seeing his friend helping people from all walks of life.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the people person part of it,” said Bukowski. “And also learning a good hands-on technical skill.”
By the end of that day Bukowski knew what he wanted to do.
He would become a nurse.
Bukowski started looking into colleges with strong nursing programs. Having lived in Idaho Falls his whole life, he had a preference to stay close to home. He also grew up in a Catholic household.
When he learned about Carroll he decided to apply.
Once accepted, he traveled to Carroll for freshman orientation. On April 8 2022, he met Ava Dotson, another incoming freshman nursing student from Seattle.
When Bukowski walked into the campus center Dotson saw him in person for the first time.
“It was like a movie,” said Dotson. “I thought he was a really genuine person. He was kind. There was no underlying motive. He cared what I had to say.”
The two had shared a few messages together beforehand over the online platform ZeeMee.
Shortly thereafter they started dating.
Three years later on March 1, 2025, Bukowski asked Dotson to marry him.
For a moment, time seemed to pause for both of them.
She said yes.
During that time Bukowski met others such as Hailey Neal, a senior nursing major from Grand Junction Colorado.
“I’ve always admired Peter’s commitment to things,” Neil said.
However, like us all, Bukowski is human and with a tendency towards self-doubt.
According to Dotson, Bukowski has a hard time relaxing.
“He is one of the most hardworking people I’ve met,” said Dotson. “Part of my role in our relationship is helping him slow down and enjoy his life.”
Once he was ready, his classes took him to Saint Peter’s Health where he would start helping real people.
Finally, he had the opportunity to put what he was learning into practice.
“Initially, I was nervous. I had never interacted with real patients in that way before,” Bukowski said. “I grew a lot during the first couple of clinicals at St. Pete’s.”
Every day affirmed that he had found his calling.
“After enough time and training, walking into a patient’s room became second nature.”
Looking back at his time here at Carroll Bukowski wished he had been able to do more outside of the classroom.
“I regret not taking advantage of stuff outside of school,” he said.
In his senior year he worked as a peer minister for the second main floor of Saint Charles. There he would have weekly group meetings with other members of his floor.
“I wanted to be a mentor to guys of similar age to me and wanted to be their friend,” said Bukowski.
As a peer minister he earned their respect, and their friendship.
Along the way, Bukowski made friends with Sam Mcgee, a junior Civil Engineer Major, from Forest Grove Oregan.
During Bukowski’s junior year they were roommates and they would oftentimes have long conversations about life.
Mcgee especially enjoyed these conversations.
“He was a great roommate. I love that guy,” Mcgee said.
As the final bell rings, Peter Bukowski looks back on his time here at Carroll.
“It’s bittersweet to be leaving Carroll. I’ve been given an excellent foundation, a great community, and countless memories that I will keep with me as I leave Carroll.”
He and Ava will be married on May 16, and will start working at Kootenai Health on July 27.
He’s headed home to the same hospital where the dream was born.
“It is a true joy to be able to return to my home town and serve the people there,” Bukowski said.
“It’s everything I could have hoped for.”
