After serving five years in the Marine Corps, West Coast University BSN alumni Adam B. found himself asking, “What’s next?”
With no desire to pursue a medical career, Adam began working in the wine industry and studying marketing but soon wanted a more fulfilling career. He pursued a role in the San Diego Fire Department and worked as an EMT, but when he was exposed to nursing – everything changed.
“I found myself more drawn to the medical side than the rescue aspect, and after meeting nurses in the field, I knew I was on the wrong career path,” he said.
Adam began searching for the right school for him, but they all had a waitlist. A friend recommended looking outside of San Diego and focusing the search on schools with accelerated programs. After visiting WCU-Orange County, he knew it was the right place for him.
“I interviewed at many schools with long waitlists that just weren’t as impressive,” he said.
Adam quickly set goals of becoming an ER nurse and enrolled at West Coast University shortly after his initial visit.
As he approached graduation, Adam was determined to stand out in the job application process. He took a job as an ER tech at a children’s hospital to broaden his experience working with both children and adults. After three weeks of working there, he fell in love with pediatrics.
“I know that’s a very short time frame, but I just loved working with the kids,” he said.
After graduating with his BSN in 2018, Adam became a pediatric specialist, training staff in pediatric care in the ER. It was during this journey and witnessing the staff struggle to place infant IVs that Adam developed another calling: entrepreneurship.
To help the staff improve IV placement on the first attempt, he developed a makeshift vein finder in his garage.
“This sparked my interest to make a commercially made vein finder for infants that was affordable and easy to use,” he said.
Together with a friend and fellow PED nurse, Adam developed the Firefly Vein Light.
Recently, Adam was honored with the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award at the 2025 WCU Alumni Awards, celebrating alumni who have demonstrated exceptional success in entrepreneurship.
“Coming from a university, where they celebrate alumni making an impact beyond bedside care — it’s truly special,” he said. “We’re trying to enhance the quality of care for kids. And so, this award means more than you know.”
While Adam is focused on expanding his company’s portfolio with additional medical products, he recently earned his labor and delivery certification and plans on pursuing that specialty this summer.
“I’ve always wanted to do labor and delivery,” he said. “I originally decided against it because I figured it would be a little harder with my background and being a male nurse, but I’m excited for this new venture.”
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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