When Devin Macklin reflects on the path that brought him to the accelerated program at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, he points to one consistent theme: every step opened his eyes a little more to how deeply he wanted to care for people.
Devin was first introduced to health care as a teenager through the BESt Healthcare Institute, a four-week STEM program that exposed him to medical careers he’d never considered. While he originally imagined a future in engineering, BESt sparked his curiosity about the human body—first through biomechanics and prosthetics, then through neurology and cardiology.
That curiosity grew even stronger when he began working as a pharmacy intern at Christian Hospital. Engaging with patients directly, he realized how much he enjoyed educating and advocating for them. It was the first clear sign that a clinical path, not an engineering one, might be his calling.
After graduating from Xavier University of Louisiana, Devin took a gap year working in the Department of Pharmacology and Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. There, he gained exposure to the operating room and witnessed anesthesiology in action.
Watching a patient undergo a coronary artery bypass surgery proved transformative. Devin noticed the steady communication, teamwork, and reassurance offered to the patient in such a vulnerable moment. The experience left a lasting impression—and planted the seed for his long-term goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Devin chose Goldfarb for its strong reputation and high standards, and the experience has exceeded his expectations. A self-described hands-on learner, he gravitates toward clinical courses where he can apply what he’s learned in class to real patient scenarios.
To expand his experience, Devin works as a student nurse technician in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU), a role that has allowed him to:
- Observe and interpret electrocardiograms (EKG)
- Learn commonly used cardiac medications
- Gain exposure to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines, dialysis, and continuous monitoring
- Understand the pace and precision of critical care
Set to graduate in April 2026, Devin hopes to begin his nursing career in an ICU at a BJC HealthCare hospital—an important step on the journey toward his CRNA goal. Ultimately, he’s motivated by the chance to serve patients and communities with skill, compassion, and humility.
“Goldfarb is preparing me not only to be a nurse,” he says, “but to be the best nurse I can be.”
Learn more about Goldfarb’s accelerated program.