Thursday, December 4, 2025
CVTC nursing student to graduate after enduring heartache, brain surgery
Sean Mormino, 33, of River Falls, is preparing to graduate from the nursing program at Chippewa Valley Technical College this month after heartbreaking loss and health concerns.
After heartache, perseverance and a previous teaching career, Sean Mormino will receive a nursing degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College during commencement on Thursday, Dec. 11.
What makes the 33-year-old’s graduation extraordinary is what he survived to get here.
His father passed away on his first day of finals during his first semester at CVTC. In his second semester, his great aunt and uncle died within a month of each other. In the third, he lost his grandmother.
“Every semester, there was grief,” he said.
Between his third and fourth semesters, Mormino underwent brain surgery to repair a venous malformation that was beginning to cause symptoms. He started his fourth and final semester just seven weeks after his operation.
Yet he never stopped, never withdrew and never quit.
“If I can do it,” he said, “anyone can.”
Early educational journey
Mormino grew up in the east-side suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, with a young passion for science and music. At Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in educational leadership. His first career was in environmental education.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in education and health care, nursing always lived somewhere in the back of Mormino’s mind. His mother is a registered nurse with years of experience in pediatrics, postpartum care, and women’s health.
When he began exploring programs, CVTC in River Falls quickly emerged as a top choice.
“The location was perfect, but honestly, the program spoke for itself,” Mormino said. “The cohort size, the hands-on learning, the price point – it all made sense. I realized I could finish the ADN, get experience, and then earn my BSN without taking on massive debt.”
While some nursing students don’t discover their specialty until late in the program, Mormino knew right away where he belonged: labor and delivery.
“I find the entire process of pregnancy and birth fascinating,” he said. “It’s one of the few areas of hospital care where things are often exciting and joyful. And when they aren’t, I know I’m built to support families through those moments, too.”
Of all the people who shaped his decision to become a nurse, Mormino points to one person: his mom.
“She’s the strongest person I know,” he said, tearing up. “Her stability and her work as a nurse kept our family going, especially when my dad struggled to find his place. I wouldn’t be who I am without her.”
Mormino also credits his partner with being an incredible support as he made his way through the two-year program.
“My partner has been my rock,” he said. “I absolutely wouldn’t have made it without him.”
He also credits his “extremely close” cohort and a group of instructors who shaped his experience.
Olivia Johnson, a CVTC nursing instructor at the River Falls campus, said Mormino has genuine enthusiasm for the content, which is contagious among his classmates.
“He not only strives to understand the content deeply, but also brings others along with him, encouraging and empowering his classmates every step of the way,” she said.
As Mormino prepares for December 11, he reflects on what the past two years have taught him: resilience, compassion, confidence and the power of community.
“It’s been hard, yes. But nursing is worth it,” he said. “And CVTC gave me everything I needed to become the nurse I want to be.”
After graduation, Mormino would be happy to continue working in labor and delivery. Long-term, Mormino mentioned earning a master’s degree, becoming a nurse practitioner in women’s health and eventually teaching nursing students. That’s where he shines, he said.
