MUW Nursing Student Hired at Johns Hopkins

By Jill D. O’Bryant

When she was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder in high school, Mississippi University for Women nursing student Rose Andrews never imagined that she one day would be hired at one of the most prestigious pediatric hospitals in the country so she could give bedside care to other hurting children.

Andrews of Columbus, who will graduate from MUW in May with a bachelor of science in nursing, will be working at Johns Hopkins Hospital in their pediatric intensive care unit.

She is the second MUW nursing student to recently be hired by Johns Hopkins. Rosemary Munyiri, a 2005 graduate, was hired to the medical surgerical floor and has been promoted to charge nurse.

“Since I was a sick kid, I guess you could say that I somewhat understand sick children in a way that many may not,” Andrews said. “I know when they say I can't feel my arm or when they are so tired that they barely can move what that feels like. I wasn't as sick as most of the kids that I see, but I feel for them.”

Not only does she enjoy working with children, but Andrews feels it is her calling.

“I just knew in my heart when I started nursing school that I wanted to work with the pediatric population,” she said. “I guess you could say it’s a calling.

“I love the way children are. Pediatric patients are quite unique. I love to hear children laugh, and I am amazed at their resiliency.”

Pediatric nursing is challenging too, she said. At each stage of development, children are different because such things as their vital signs, motor skills and drug dosages change.

But she feels she is up to the challenge because of the training she has received at MUW.

“The nursing program is outstanding and tough, but I am prepared,”
Andrews said. “I am prepared not only in the educational realm, but also in the psychospiritual realm. I have grown. I have matured through the nursing program, and I feel prepared to go into the world and give back to those in need.

“I count it a blessing to have such a wonderful nursing education from Mississippi University for Women.”

The news of being accept at Johns Hopkins was a dream come true, Andrews said.

“(Johns) Hopkins had been a dream for me,” she said. “I was shocked, but it only reminded me that I should dream big. We all should reach for our dreams.”

Andrews, quick to acknowledge her faith and family, also said she her nursing professors helped her make this dream come true through both the education they provided and their encouragement.

“I remember them saying, ‘If you want to go to Johns Hopkins, apply because you can do it. Your education is as good as any other new graduates,’ she said. “Amen to that. I have had a wonderful education, and I realize that each day as I am going through my preceptorship.”

In addition to working at Johns Hopkins, her future plans include pursuing a master’s degree, which the hospital encourages with a tuition assistance program. She also hopes to be involved in international missions, which Johns Hopkins also supports.

“Rose being hired at Johns Hopkins speaks to the strong preparation our students receive,” said Dr. Sheila Adams, dean of the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology. “She is an extremely caring and hard working young professional.”

MUW’s nursing department offers three degree programs: the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). All three programs hold state accreditation from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The BSN and MSN programs are accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the ASN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

For more information about MUW’s nursing programs, please contact the Office of Admissions at (662) 329-7106 or visit the web at www.muw.edu/nursing/.
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