Q: What inspired you to become a nurse?
A: Growing up, my mother was a nursing aid at a local hospital in a rural setting in Africa where the burden of malaria and infectious diseases was very high. I used to take her lunch and visit her at the hospital, and I saw how few medical personnel were there. The patient-to-nurse ratio was very high, so I felt the need to help with the situation.
Q: What factors attracted you to Elmhurst’s online MENP program?
A: Elmhurst University has a history of producing excellent students and good NCLEX exam pass rates. So when I looked up and found this, together with other factors like the flexibility of the online program, that attracted me to join.
Q: Why was it important to you to enter the nursing field with your MSN degree?
A: The MSN degree will build on the background that I have. The Elmhurst program is fast-paced, and within two years, I'll be graduating. That inspired me because I want to go out and immediately impact the patients suffering from the lack of medical care.
Q: How would you describe the support you've received in the program so far?
A: My enrollment advisor and other faculty members have been very supportive. They are available to answer questions at any time. You email them, and they answer you back straight away. This is an excellent, robust course.
Q: What are your long-term nursing goals following completion of the program?
A: I plan to become a nurse practitioner. I am considering focusing on infectious diseases but also thinking about psychiatry because, right now, I work in a psychiatric setting. I'm still weighing on the two, but I would like to become a nurse practitioner after this.
Q: What does it mean to you to enter the nursing profession?
A: Entering the nursing profession means that I can be part of a team that works tirelessly to improve the well-being of patients and the overall general population. I want to contribute to research and new developments in nursing.
