Our 2020 Pathfinder Students and Mentors

As a Conway Pathway mentor, I will be able to guide nursing students as they pursue a life-long, rewarding career. The Conway Nursing Pathway Program will also help me to use my experience as both a nursing student, bedside nurse and current DNP student to guide current students in the transition from academics to nursing practice. With my research interests and previous involvement in patient safety programs, I am also able to help nursing students explore the multiple avenues available to them as a future nurse leader. I hope to alleviate the mentee's fears of becoming a nurse, ease their transition into a clinical role and foster their commitment to the nursing profession. The Conway Nursing Pathway Program will also strengthen my own engagement in my DNP program.

Becoming a Conway mentor is an opportunity for me to "pay it forward." Throughout nursing school and my nursing career, I have been blessed with amazing teachers and mentors. I came into nursing school as a chronically ill student, and due to frequent hospital admissions had to take a semester off. If it wasn’t for my mentors I do not know if I would have come back. It was because of their persistent check-ins and encouragement that I felt confident in coming back and completing nursing school. I see being a mentor as a way to ensure that our future nurses and nurse leaders make it past the finish line and beyond. This program has already brought great change to the nurse community and I want to be a part of that growth.

I remember as a young nurse the anxiety of learning my practice and honing in on what nursing means to me. My experiences as a young nurse led me to establish the cornerstones of my nursing practice as education, teaching and mentorship. For these reasons I have committed to teaching novice nurses. I feel I have been successful as a mentor to my two mentees and all those I have precepted, helping to provide them with the tools to minimize anxiety, refine their practice and develop clinical and life skills. The Conway Nursing Pathway Program will  allow me to foster a new level of formal mentorship to support my personal and professional development while also championing the next generation of nurses. Additionally this will provide me with more opportunities to self-reflect, learn creative ways of teaching, act as a leader and connect with upcoming generations of nurses.

Lauren Blackson is a 2020 graduate of Oxon Hill High School and attends Norfolk State University. Her interest in being a Registered Professional Pediatric Nurse is fostered by her mother and grandmother. She said: They shared with me how thrilling nursing was and I knew nursing was for me because I love the idea of helping others in need. I’ll have the chance to leave a positive mark on someone's life. I'm so intrigued by how the body functions and finding the puzzle pieces of a person’s case and figuring out what the solution is in order to help them feel better. My mentoring relationship will facilitate my success by helping me develop new skills that will help me in my growth for my personal and career development. I will challenge myself to continually update pediatric nursing knowledge and improve nursing skills to provide quality care for children, families and communities.

Bridgett Scott is a 2020 high school graduate of National Cathedral School and attends the University of Pennsylvania. Here's what she had to say about the program: I believe the Conway Nursing Pathfinder Program would provide me with unparalleled experience and mentoring as an aspiring pediatric nurse. A few weeks ago at school, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel about women in healthcare and one of the speakers was a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s. One aspect of her job that peaked my interest was how as a pediatric NP, she is really providing care for a whole family. It brings me hope that children are resilient and joyful, and I recognize that they come with loving, worried parents. I think that I have a calming presence and strong nurturing instincts and this description both sounded like something that I could excel at and something that I am curious to learn more about.

Lashay Clark is a patient care technician and a student in the BSN program at Chamberlain University. Here's what she said about her experiences: I will be the first to graduate from college as a registered nurse (RN). During hospital visits to see my sister in the NICU I was able to see the interaction between the doctors, nurses and families and the care they gave to my sister and family. Watching those interactions made me want to grow up to become a nurse. I loved the care the nurses and doctors gave to my sister and my family. The hospital showed me how special and rewarding it can be to take care of others with love, compassion and patience and that it truly takes a special person to become a nurse.

Working as a patient care technician, I have gained the skills and knowledge to obtain vital signs, alert nurses of results out of clinical ranges for the patient, provide care for activity of daily living and the use of therapeutic communication with staff, patients and families. I enjoy being able to take care of patients and be there for them by doing things they can not do for themselves. I know I will do well when I become a nurse because of the love that I have for taking care of others. 

Amari Henry is a student in the BSN program at Howard University. Here's what she had to say about her experiences: In the 12th grade, during our program’s clinical rotation, I was able to witness my first cesarean delivery. From the moment the procedure began to the moment the baby took its first gasp of air, I was in awe. After that experience, I knew in my heart that I could dedicate myself to doing this every day. That was when I realized nursing was a passion that I possess. That is the reason why I am where I am today.

I realized that helping children simply feel like kids again was a duty I aspired to fulfill. Children are our future and it is our responsibility to make them feel healthy and whole again so they can grow up and be the next leaders in our society.

Having a mentor through this program will help build me into the nurse that I am aspiring to be. I know that I will face challenges but with a mentor on my side, I will be able to seek advice, motivation, training, direction and a friendship all in one. This person will be able to guide me and cheer me along through the highs and lows that come along with becoming a nurse.

Christina Hermann is a student in the BSN program at Catholic University of America. Here's what she had to say about her experiences: I have been dreaming of becoming a pediatric nurse at Children’s National for many years. I desire to become a pediatric nurse in order to help children achieve better health and well-being. I first became interested in the healthcare field while being treated for my own injuries in my high school’s athletic training room.

My love for service has also shaped my desire to become a nurse. Before the start of my senior year of high school I had the opportunity to serve abroad in El Salvador. It was here that I witnessed the disparities of healthcare for children in the world, as I met a child who was forced to travel over an hour to have his arm casted after a bad break. After becoming a nurse, I hope to one day volunteer abroad again in order to give back and hopefully make a difference.

Makayla James is a student in the BSN program at Howard University. Here's what she had to say about her experiences: Whether it be serving as a caregiver, a liaison between medical professionals or a patient advocate, nurses are the cornerstone of our healthcare system. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with the natural philosophy that is science. Growing up, I always questioned the inner workings of the human body. In 2012 I had surgery which was a very frightening experience. When I thought of who helped me every step of the way, besides my mother, the nurses came to mind. The nurses who cared for me were such a joy to be around. Not only did they care for me, but they assured me that everything was going to be alright. The field of nursing is comprised of individuals who are called to fulfill a duty of service to all people. I believe the greatest gift that we have been given is the gift of service. It became clear that I wanted to pursue a career in the field of nursing. 

I chose to specialize in pediatric care because children will bring a dynamic energy to my workplace that will keep me on my toes advocating for their health and educating them. By working with children, I will not only make a difference in a life, but I will be able to make a difference in a lifetime. My hometown suffers from many health disparities as a result of its economic state, shortage of healthcare providers, history of unreliable care and under-representation. I plan to fill the gap in healthcare in my community.

Brittani Miles is a student in the BSN program at  University of Maryland. Here's what she had to say about her experiences: It wasn’t until I worked in an actual hospital that I realized that the role of a nurse was much more than I could have ever imagined. I saw that a nurse is the person that wipes the tears of a scared child awaiting surgery, the person that gives a warm embrace to a parent that finds out that their child has a terminal illness and the person that gives the best pieces of themselves to others even when they don’t have enough for themselves.

I want to be a pediatric nurse because I want to do more than save lives. I want to make an impact on their lives as I give them hope that there is more to life than what they are led to believe. I want to be an example for future generations that just because you are not dealt the best of hands does not mean that you are stuck. I realize now that I didn’t find nursing, nursing found me and I am ready to get a head start on a promising career in pediatric nursing.

Sherelle Morgan is a patient care technician and a student in the BSN program  at Stratford University. Here's what she had to say about the experiences that led her to the Conway program: In 2007, I started working at Children’s National in the Washington D.C area in the food services department. I knew my role as a food service employee was important from a nutrition aspect to the patients and families but I always felt like I had more to give.

While working full time at Children’s National as a patient care technician, I have become a vital member of the NDNQI Pressure Injury Prevalence Team, and the Shared Nursing Leadership Council. I have been fortunate enough to get several opportunities, which have opened my eyes to endless possibilities. I have so much knowledge and passion to share with patients and families. I know that my contributions to the healthcare workforce in under-resourced communities will reflect the ideal mission of a great nurse, by providing exceptional, competent and compassionate care to our patients and their families.

Juana Ortiz Ayala is a student in the BSN program at Trinity Washington University. Here's what she said about her experiences: I realized the huge need that there is for bilingual nurses in hospitals. I also realized the great role that nurses play in being able to care for so many different children, all with their own special needs. 

As an aspiring nurse I am searching for all opportunities that will provide me with the ability to develop my strengths as a future pediatric nurse. Also, as a first-generation college student, I do not have anyone nor any healthcare related experience to help guide me through the nursing profession. This is why I strongly believe that having this mentoring relationship will be very beneficial for me. Having some guidance is what all aspiring nurses need to have. I am positive that this relationship will provided me with the space that I need to apply what I have been learning in nursing school. It will also allow me to apply my critical thinking skills, ask questions and most of all get exposure to the nursing profession.

Kelly Toppin is a registered nurse attending Aspen University and works as a school health nurse for Children’s School Services. Here's what she had to say about her experiences: Nursing has taught me a great deal about the myself and the world around me. Regardless of where I practice, it all goes back to those familiar foundational pillars that inspired me to pursue this profession, empathy and compassion. I have grown stronger and more confident over the years while striving to ensure that my nursing practice aligns with the mission and vision of each organization to which I belong. I have worked alongside some extraordinary nurses, each of whom has left an indelible mark on me. I consider these nurses unsung heroes as most individuals will never understand the dedication and sacrifice that exists behind the scenes. I look forward to coming to work each day as I aim to apply the principles and lessons I am learning with Aspen University BSN program.