Jean Carlo Salazar: Infusion Nurse by Day, Mister Connecticut by Night
Image source: @salazarj_98
Move over, McDreamy—there’s a new heartthrob in healthcare, and he’s not just saving lives at the bedside. Jean Carlo Salazar, RN, BSN, CCRN, a Colombian-born nurse, has just been crowned Mister Connecticut 2025 and is headed to Los Angeles to compete for the national Mister USA title.
From Cali, Colombia to Connecticut’s Catwalks
Salazar’s journey is as inspiring as it is swoon-worthy. Born in Cali, Colombia, he grew up surrounded by strong women—his mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister (“even our dogs were female,” he jokes). At age 10, his family emigrated to Connecticut, where he faced the challenges of being a gay teenager and an immigrant. Despite the bullying and adversity, Salazar finished school early and, in 2018, became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Source: WTNH
The Nurse Who Models Compassion—and Swimwear
Salazar told CTVoice, “Something that my beautiful mom instilled in me was that in this country education is key to success.” His educational path to becoming a nurse started at Middlesex Community College where he studied phlebotomy. He then earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Southern Connecticut State College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in nursing from University of Connecticut.
His nursing career began with roles at Stamford Hospital and Yale-New Haven Hospital, experiences he credits with shaping his skills as a nurse. In 2023, he became a board-certified ICU nurse and currently works as an infusion nurse for Option Care Health in Shelton, CT. Committed to advancing his expertise, he is pursuing a master’s degree at Quinnipiac University to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
By day, Salazar is an infusion nurse in East Haven, balancing clinical precision with a calm, approachable demeanor. But don’t let his gentle bedside manner fool you—he’s also a professional model, discovered after a photographer spotted his Instagram and invited him for a shoot. That leap of faith led to agency representation and magazine covers, including Ardent and Vero.
Standing six feet tall with striking green-hazel eyes and a smile that could brighten even the gloomiest night shift, Salazar is the definition of “nurse goals”—and yes, he says he’s single.
Mister USA: More Than Just Looks
Salazar’s entry into the Mister USA pageant came via his sister, Maria Camilla Medina, herself a pageant queen. After applying, he was quickly selected to represent Connecticut and will compete for a $50,000 modeling contract and a shot at Mr. Universe later this year.
But this isn’t just a beauty contest. The Mister USA competition seeks “well-rounded individuals who possess qualities beyond aesthetics,” emphasizing intelligence, social awareness, and charisma. Salazar hopes to stand out by sharing his immigrant story, LGBTQ+ identity, and advocacy for nurses as catalysts in healthcare. “They’re truly looking for people who do advocacy work. That’s where I want to bring in my own unique story,” he says.
“Nurses are the catalysts of the healthcare system, and as we know today, the healthcare system is suffering, and this is not news, especially with nurses,” he acknowledged. “Every single day, the nursing shortage is getting bigger and stronger, unfortunately, and we need to raise awareness before we don’t have any nurses left.”
A Stage for Nurses
Here's a fun fact for you: the Mr. Connecticut pageant that Salazar entered was the first-ever competition he's ever been in. Despite his lack of experience, Salazar clearly succeeded in nabbing the state title, so now, he's on his way to vie for a national title.
And as exciting as it would be to be awarded the title of "Mister USA," Salazar tells Nurse.org that he is most excited about the opportunity the competition allows him to be the face and voice of the nursing industry.
"What I'm defined by is my vocation, and that is, I'm a nurse, and that is what I'm most passionate about," he says. "At the core, I am a nurse, and so I want to be able to give nursing a platform."
Salazar is still working on the specific issues within the nursing industry that he hopes to bring attention and awareness to, but notes that some of the challenges he has personally experienced in his time as an ICU nurse include:
- The importance and value of nurses
- Nurse burnout
- Workplace violence
- The downturn in people enrolling in nursing programs
"Nurses are the catalyst of our health care system," Salazar says. "If we don't have nurses, we really don't have anything."
Salazar hopes to be a catalyst himself through this competition, in sparking a conversation towards change for nurses.
"I would like to focus on a system that allows that creates a culture where nurses don't have to work extensive hours, where nurses are able to take a break, where they would, you know, have normal human rights. We are not asking for anything outrageous, just like everybody else, you know, everybody else who has a nine-to-five, to get a 30-minute break."
Blazing a Trail
Salazar tells Nurse.org that the primary reason he hasn't yet fully settled on the specifics of his platform of supporting nurses is a simple one:
He's one of the first nurses ever to run for Mister USA.
"I haven't seen another nurse who has gone to a beauty pageant and said, 'I want to advocate for nurses,'" he explains. "There's no blueprint for me, unfortunately...but it doesn't mean that I don't I will not have the answer." (Spoken like a true nurse!)
Today, Salazar is balancing his work on the campaign trail towards Mister USA as an infusion nurse, but he is ICU-certified and shares that whether he's working with a patient on an IV infusion or caring for them in the ICU, his favorite part of nursing will always be the care he can provide for patients and families.
"I was there," he shares. "I was the nurse who was with a patient when family was not available, and I was the one person holding their hand before they passed."
He has been that nurse, which is why he considers himself the person to advocate for nurses through the Mister USA platform. He notes that competing in a beauty pageant on the scale of Mister USA has been similar to working as a nurse because both experiences have necessitated him having a "thick skin."
"You advocate for that patient and say 'Yes, because I believe in this,' and you know, it's the same thing with the competition world," he explains. "I have to believe in myself. If I don't believe in myself, how could anyone else believe in me?"
Having It All
Speaking of believing in him, if you believe in Salazar and his mission to advocate for his fellow nurses, you can place your social vote for Salazar to show the pageant organizers just how much the people love him. The winner of the social vote is automatically given a finalist spot in the top six competitors, so Salazar encourages fans to help show their support with a vote, but assures them not to worry—he'll still be doing the work to cinch that final title.
No matter what happens after the Mister USA title, you can catch this nurse continuing his mission of helping others. Salazar is currently in grad school (like, truly, he does it all, folks!) to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. He's also spreading his wings and trying new things with his partner, Joshua, who has gotten him—somewhat hesitantly— into water sports. ("My family wasn't very outdoorsy," he laughs.)
Working full-time as a nurse, breaking down barriers in the LGBTQ+ world, going to grad school, modeling, competing for Mister USA, and taking on jet-skiing for the first time might sound like a lot ot some people, but Salazar is hopeful about his future.
"I think it's all going to be worth it," he says with that award-winning smile.
Follow the Journey: Next Stop LA!
Salazar is prepping for the big Mister USA stage with his signature “stylish relaxed athletic” look, and yes—there will be a swimwear segment. If there’s a talent portion, he plans to play piano, showcasing the same grace under pressure he brings to the ICU.
Salazar will be road-tripping cross-country to the nationals, and he’s seeking sponsorships via his Instagram @salazarj_98. Whether he’s in scrubs or a tux, Salazar is proof that nurses can be brilliant, compassionate, and—let’s be honest—gorgeous.
Here’s to hoping the Mister USA judges are ready for a dose of nurse magic. Connecticut (and the entire nursing community) will be cheering him on—stat!
🤔 Nurses, what do you think of Mister Connecticut? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.
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