The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing welcomed its newest cohort of Accelerated BSN/MSN students this summer. The Accelerated BSN/MSN program enables students with a non-nursing undergraduate degree to move quickly into a career as an advanced practice nurse or midwife. We catch up with several students to find out how their nursing journey began and why they chose Emory.
Kimberly Gardner
Hometown:
Key Largo, Florida
Undergraduate degree:
Political Science
Why I chose Emory:
I chose Emory because of its excellent nursing program that is ranked fourth in the United States. Emory stood out to me because of its NCLEX pass rate and the big role Emory Healthcare plays in the community. Social responsibility is very important to me and I feel as if Emory is a great leader in this area.
What you hope to get involved with at Emory:
Emory Multicultural Nursing Student Association (EMNSA) and the student government
Dream job:
Working as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA), the nation’s largest health care provider
Interesting factoid:
Served active duty for the United States Air Force
Abigail Dryer
Hometown:
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Undergraduate degree:
English with a minor in Medical Humanities
Why I chose Emory:
I chose Emory because the School of Nursing provided me with a fast-track program. This program allowed me to receive my Bachelor’s degree in nursing alongside a specialized master’s degree. This, plus the well- earned, highly- positive reputation of Emory University, made the choice a seamless one.
What you hope to get involved with at Emory:
Teach yoga classes and volunteer for organizations serving people with disabilities
Dream job:
Working for Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Interesting factoid:
She loves cows; she even had a cow themed birthday party in the fifth grade
Ethan Perkins
Hometown:
Brooklet, Georgia
Undergraduate degree:
Agricultural Science and Environmental Systems
Why I chose Emory:
I chose Emory because of its commitment to excellence in producing many of the country’s top nursing professionals. In addition, I was drawn to Emory’s extensive range of advanced practice specialties and dual degree programs.
What you hope to get involved with at Emory:
Farmworker Family Health Program in Moultrie, Georgia
Dream job:
Serve as an Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in a large, Level 1 Trauma Center, providing care to patients with a wide range of traumatic injuries
Interesting factoid:
Grew up on a farm in South Georgia, where his family raised beef cattle and grew things like cotton and peanuts
We wish this accomplished class well as they begin their nursing journey at Emory University and look forward to seeing the great things from them as they pursue their personal and professional goals in nursing. Best of luck AMSN Class of 2019!
