Michael Bloom didn’t realize making cappuccinos would prepare him for intensive care nursing. During college, his days began behind the counter at Saxbys café, serving coffee to classmates and professors. He didn’t imagine how much those early mornings would shape his career.
“Working at Saxbys taught me to read people quickly,” Michael recalls. “I learned how to tell if someone needed to talk or just wanted to grab their coffee and go. It’s surprising how much that translates to nursing.”
Early Life and Inspiration
Michael grew up in North Jersey, where he was active in theater and photography. His hobbies taught him to appreciate human stories. In middle school, he excelled at science, winning a local Science Olympics competition. High school further developed his academic and leadership skills. At Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey, Michael graduated with honors and received prestigious awards like the Rensselaer Book Award and the English Medal.
In high school, Michael also dedicated time to service through the Civil Air Patrol. There, he earned the Billy Mitchell Award. He also participated in charity sleepouts with Covenant House, bringing awareness to youth homelessness. These early experiences shaped his desire to work closely with people, influencing his choice to pursue nursing.
“I learned early on that true care involves understanding the whole person, not just their medical treatment,” Michael explains.
Bridging Language and Care
At the University of Pennsylvania, Michael pursued nursing with an additional focus on Hispanic Studies. He realized quickly how essential language skills are to healthcare.
“I chose Hispanic Studies because I was personally interested,” Michael says. “But in the hospital, I quickly saw its importance. There was one patient who spoke only Spanish. He was anxious about an emergency procedure and had questions, but no interpreter was available. Being able to step in and communicate directly brought immediate relief. It was a powerful moment for me.”
Michael excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude in 2024. He gained valuable clinical experience across multiple specialties, including trauma ICU, orthopedic and neurologic med/surg, psychiatric nursing, perinatal care, and public health nursing.
Learning Under Pressure
In 2023, Michael completed a nurse externship at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center. Here, he gained hands-on experience in trauma care and learned to stay calm under intense pressure—skills he first developed at the busy café.
“During a morning rush at Saxbys, things could get hectic,” Michael remembers. “Machines break, customers become impatient, but you must stay calm. In the ICU, it’s similar. Emergencies happen, and quick, clear communication is vital. I often remind myself, ‘You’ve handled busy mornings; you can handle this.’”
Beyond direct patient care, Michael served as an undergraduate teaching assistant in anatomy and physiology. Teaching gave him confidence in leadership and deepened his understanding of nursing fundamentals.
“Helping students understand complex ideas strengthened my own knowledge,” Michael says. “Seeing their confidence grow was rewarding and helped me become a better communicator and nurse.”
Embracing Whole-Person Care
Michael believes deeply in whole-person care, which means attending not just to physical health, but also emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
“Healthcare isn’t just about medical treatments,” he emphasizes. “It’s about understanding people’s stories, fears, and hopes. A patient may not remember specific medical procedures, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.”
His commitment to emotional and cultural care aligns with his public health work in college, where he participated in Stop The Crisis Philly, training peers in Narcan administration for opioid overdoses.
“Public health outreach taught me the power of education and empathy,” Michael shares. “Being proactive about health and safety can save lives.”
A Life Beyond Nursing
Outside of professional life, Michael remains passionate about photography, visiting museums, and enjoying card games with friends.
“Photography helps me stay grounded,” he says. “It’s a reminder to take the time to fully understand and appreciate small moments, whether at the bedside or exploring a new city.”
As Michael continues his nursing career, his goal remains clear: making healthcare more compassionate and culturally sensitive.
“I want to keep learning and growing,” Michael says. “Every patient, every interaction is a chance to become better, more empathetic, and more effective. That’s what nursing is all about for me.”
From the coffee counter to the ICU, Michael Bloom’s journey demonstrates the power of transferable skills and compassionate care in shaping a meaningful nursing career.
Interview with Michael Bloom
What inspired you to pursue nursing initially?
In high school, I wanted to join the medical field, and because I’ve always loved working closely with people, the deeply personal nature of nursing called to me. Experiences in high school service projects showed me how healthcare could combine empathy with treatment.
How did your café experience influence your nursing skills?
Working at Saxbys taught me to read emotions quickly and manage stressful situations calmly. Both are critical in patient care. I found that the same brand of calm often made patients and students who were late for class feel more at ease, and sometimes more agreeable as well.
Why was learning Spanish important for your nursing practice?
It allowed me to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking patients, greatly reducing their anxiety and improving their care. Language barriers are often difficult to overcome in healthcare. While my skills are nowhere near native-level, being able to help my patients understand that they are seen and cared for– by the simple act of speaking to them in their native language– often means they are more able to participate fully in their own care.
What does whole-person care mean to you?
It’s about seeing the patient as more than just their illness. It means caring about their emotional and spiritual health, too. A person is not just a body, or a set of organs. By taking the time to understand who the individual is, they feel more at ease and more willing to advocate for themselves. Ultimately, whole-person care is empowering care– where a patient knows that any and all of their needs and desires are going to be heard and taken into account.
How do you handle challenges or setbacks professionally?
I try to see setbacks as opportunities to grow. During nursing school, I was no stranger to having to retake a test-out. Whenever I needed to brush up my skills before re-taking a practical exam, I would always take the time to speak to my professors or preceptors to see what my areas for improvement were. It is important to me to remain open to constructive criticism, and to rely on my support network as much as possible.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give aspiring nurses?
Always remember that how you make patients feel is just as important as the clinical care you provide. Listen, empathize, and never underestimate kindness.
