What are the most impactful things you have done over the last four years?
Being a peer tutor for the Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program has been a very rewarding experience. I can explain complex nursing topics and pathophysiology to students who sometimes need to hear concepts explained differently. I was able to tutor for numerous nursing courses for the past three years, and I have built meaningful connections as a result. I am always happy to help and see others succeed, and my experience as a tutor has also led to an interest in nursing education.
I have also been involved with the Simmons Chapter of Girls Inc., of Boston and Lynn (a nonprofit leadership program), acting as a youth mentor for my first two years at Simmons and an advocate for the remainder of my time here. I feel attached to the mission of the program, which aims to empower young girls of color and help them realize their potential, and I see myself in many of the girls we mentor. It is one of the ways I give back to my community and contribute to the lives of those who are also growing to become independent and strong.
What is your major(s) and why did you choose this field of study?
I am a nursing major with a minor in health care management. I primarily chose this field with a profound sense of agency and willingness to help others in the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
I especially bear in mind the many communities of color that remain disproportionately underserved and would benefit greatly from healthcare personnel who truly understand them. Immigrating from Ghana in the early 2000s, I grew up in a community of people with similar stories, and became more aware of the gaps and disparities that affected us as I grew.
Acquiring a bachelor’s degree in nursing means more to me than having the “RN” title, as it gives me a unique skill set to educate others in my community on health and wellness initiatives and advocate for them in healthcare settings. Earning my minor in health care management also supports this deeper cause, and I am eager to use my knowledge about the financial infrastructure of hospital systems to make an impact.
Tell us about your involvement in the Honors Program.
The Honors Program has been a unique experience for me, as I was encouraged to take more rigorous courses and engage in deeper-level thinking. A notable moment was when I gave a speech about adultification bias and how it affects young, Black girls in “Talking in the Twenty-First Century” (HON 190). I felt that I had grown tremendously in that moment, and that my capacity for advocacy from an intellectual perspective had expanded. I continue to hone this skill, especially in a healthcare setting, and seek ways to cultivate it.
Did your course of study entail any internships or travel/study abroad opportunities?
One opportunity I had the honor of participating in was the Student Nurse Internship Program at Lowell General Hospital in the summer of 2024. With help from multiple people within the Simmons community, I revised my resume, practiced for interviews, and requested letters of recommendation. I was able to gain invaluable insight into the field of nursing at an earlier point in my program.
Knowing that these resources were available for me to put my best foot forward and present the most refined version of myself was reassuring and motivating, and I am very grateful. I also bring knowledge from this program to my tutoring sessions, in which I help break down complex material for students.
Who was your most influential Simmons professor/mentor and why?
The person I think of immediately is Associate Professor of Practice LaDonna Christian, director of the Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program. I remember taking my first nursing fundamentals exam and meeting with her afterwards to discuss ways to navigate nursing course material, especially since the exam was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
Apart from my parents, I had very few mentors and teachers of color in my youth, so having a mentor like Dr. Christian guiding me and checking in with me was very refreshing and pushed me toward excellence. After a one-on-one session of her iconic Test-Taking Skills Workshop, I felt more confident about my ability to learn the material and become a competent nurse. I will always be grateful for her mentorship and for truly seeing me that first day.
How has Simmons prepared you for your career path or intended profession?
What I appreciate about the PLAN (Purpose, Leadership, and ActioN) curriculum is its ability to produce graduates who are knowledgeable in fields beyond their majors. When I took “Survey Literature for Children and Young Adults” (CHL 313) in the Fall 2024 semester, I quickly realized that the “nursing brain” I had honed for the past three years would have to be sidelined. I was forced to exercise a different part of my brain and think deeply about various forms of literature, considering the implications of the themes on youth of varying ages.
While it was different from the care plans that I had become accustomed to writing, I enjoyed taking a break from the nursing curriculum and learning something new. I also realized that by having a part of my brain trained to intricately dissect literature, I am now equipped with the skills to evaluate critical texts within nursing research and those concerning evidence-based practice. The latter is especially important as technology and research in healthcare are ever-evolving.
How has Simmons taught you to be a leader?
Throughout the nursing curriculum, I was taught to speak up for my patients and remember that what I have learned in my classes can save lives. The women-centered framework in all the undergraduate programs also empowers students to advocate and become agents of change.
What advice do you have for current and incoming Simmons students?
Stay focused on your personal growth, remembering that your degree is for you and the advancement of your life. There may be moments when you feel behind or like you are not where you should be, especially if you compare yourself to your peers. Remember that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, and that your success will be the product of your hard work and your personal timeline. You will be successful, and you will make it!