Hobbies and interests
Public Health
Pediatrics
Mental Health
Reading
Self-Help
Christianity
Biography
I read books multiple times per month
Luse Choongo
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FinalistLuse Choongo
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FinalistEducation
Indiana State University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Baptist Health College Little Rock
Trade SchoolMajors:
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
University of Central Arkansas
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Public Health
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Public Health
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Nurse
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Dr. Ifeoma Ezebuiro Ezeobele Africans in Nursing Scholarship
When you migrate from a third-world country, it is only right to hit the ground running, create, and also take advantage of the endless opportunities that the first-world country would have to offer. I moved to the US towards the end of fifth grade. My parents arrived in this country on a student visa, and they made sure to instill in us the importance of education and hard work at a tender age. Watching my parents be full-time students, working odd jobs, and raising 3 young girls in a strange land, only inspired me to aim for greatness with hopes of not letting their efforts go in vain. The older I got, the more I understood the sacrifices that my parents took to give their children the opportunities they only dreamt of. When it came closer to my college years, my parents encouraged me to pick a field that would be essential to the country because this would matter when I applied for a change in immigration status later. It wasn’t after my senior year of high school when I volunteered at the children’s hospital, did I realize that I wanted to be a nurse. A healthcare career is a vast field with the common goal of improving the quality of life for millions of populations. I received my first bachelor's degree in Health Education with an emphasis in health promotion and disease prevention. This allowed me to work with other diverse professionals whose main target was overseeing, equipping, and serving the community health centers of rural Arkansas.
Working in Health Education opened doors for me to step in and collaborate with other health professionals. It also showed me that even in a first-world country, some healthcare disparities still exist in the healthcare industry. It is there that I learned the importance of health equity, disparities, and patient advocacy. I returned to school and became a licensed practical nurse (LPN). When asked why I chose to major in the nursing field, my initial response without hesitation was “I want to help people”. It wasn’t until my sister challenged me to explore deeper into my reasoning. It then occurred to me that people can "help people" in almost every other field as well. I aspire to be a nurse that cannot only serve patients physically, but also advocate for their needs, and improve their quality of health overall.
My goal at the moment is to complete my LPN to BSN degree and use my skills and knowledge to open up more doors as a professional nurse. Currently, I work as a pediatric nurse and I am very passionate about my patients and the care I provide for them. Working in pediatrics has increased my patience, taught me empathy, and enhanced my willingness to learn and lead. After passing my RN NCLEX exam, I would like to work at a children's hospital and gain more experience. As a nurse, we are taught and encouraged to be life learners. This simply means "never stop learning". I aim to explore the vast avenues to advance in nursing with my Master's in a specialty. Further education is vital but doesn't always come without challenges. The biggest challenge I face in education comes as a financial burden. However, I will continue to find avenues that will assist with carrying this financial load so that I can be able to push my limits and serve in this rewarding field!