Nursing Student Uses Training to Save a Life

For Saige Colleluori, a typical shift at Riko’s Pizza in Levittown became a moment that would not only test her training but reaffirm why she chose to study nursing at Molloy University in the first place.

Colleluori, a nursing major set to graduate in 2028, was working at the restaurant when she noticed commotion outside. A woman had collapsed near the entrance, and at first, the situation did not appear critical. After briefly checking in, Colleluori was told the woman seemed okay and returned to work while someone called for an ambulance. But within minutes, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A bystander rushed into the restaurant yelling that the woman had become unresponsive and no longer had a pulse.

In an instant, Colleluori sprang into action. Relying on the instincts and confidence she has developed through her Molloy nursing education, she ran outside, assessed the woman, and began CPR. Moments later, the woman regained a pulse and started breathing again before emergency responders arrived. Looking back, Colleluori says the moment itself felt strangely calm, despite the gravity of the situation unfolding around her.

“In the moment, I didn’t really feel nervous or scared,” she recalled. “I think I was honestly just focused on what I needed to do. I was going through the steps in my head and trying to help her as quickly as possible.”

Although she is still a student, Colleluori said the experience reminded her how important it is to trust the training and preparation that comes with nursing education. She admitted that, at times, student nurses can second guess themselves in emergency situations, unsure whether they should step in or defer to someone else. But when she heard the woman was no longer breathing, she knew she had to act.

“It’s hard when you’re a student nurse because you feel like you know so much, but you’re still learning,” she said. “But when I heard she had no pulse, I knew I had to do what I could to help.”

That confidence, she says, comes directly from her experience at Molloy. Through simulation labs, clinical placements, and hands-on instruction, Molloy’s nursing program places students in realistic healthcare scenarios that prepare them to think critically and stay composed under pressure. Colleluori credits those experiences with helping her remain focused during one of the most intense moments of her life.

“When it was time to help that woman, I was really just going through the steps of what we do in the sim labs,” she said. “Molloy has taught me how to work well under pressure, and honestly, that’s how I work best now.”

Her path toward nursing began long before she stepped into a classroom at Molloy. Growing up with a mother in the profession, Colleluori says healthcare was always a part of her life, and from a young age she admired the compassion and dedication that nursing requires.

“My mom is a nurse. I’ve always known that I wanted to be one too!”, she said.

Now working toward that goal herself, Colleluori says she feels grateful for the faculty members and mentors who have helped shape her into the future nurse she hopes to become. She specifically credited Professors Didio and Eason, clinical professors Mary Rizzo and Maryann Goodrich, and the staff at Molloy’s Clinical Learning Center for helping build both her skills and confidence throughout the program.

While Colleluori remained calm during the emergency itself, the emotional weight of what had happened did not fully hit her until afterward. Once the adrenaline wore off and the customer was safe, she said she finally allowed herself to process the magnitude of the moment.

“After everything was over, I got really shaky,” she said. “I was relieved that I was able to respond correctly and efficiently, but I was also just in shock over everything that had happened.”

Since the story gained attention through local news coverage, Colleluori has received an overwhelming amount of support from friends, family members, professors, classmates, coworkers, and members of the community. While she is grateful for the recognition, she hopes the story also serves as a reminder of how valuable CPR training can be and how important it is to step in when someone needs help.

“You never know how much you can contribute to someone’s life unless you step in and help,” she said. “In my case, I was able to save a life.”

For the Molloy community, Colleluori’s actions represent more than a remarkable moment of bravery. They reflect the compassion, preparation, and commitment to caring for others that define Molloy nurses both inside and outside the classroom. For Colleluori, the experience strengthened not only her confidence, but also her pride in the path she has chosen.

“Being a Molloy nurse is so important to me,” she said. “I know that Molloy teaches their nurses to be the best, and I’m so proud to be taught at Molloy.”