Nursing is New Pathway to Human Connection for Civil Engineer

The greatest thing I've learned is that sometimes comfort and growth cannot both exist at the same time. The challenges I have overcome during my time at Columbia Nursing have made me a more capable and intelligent future nurse. I'm excited and proud of how far I have come.

Please tell us a bit about yourself; where are you from, and what do you like to do in your spare time?  

I was born and raised in Burkina Faso, a small, beautiful country in West Africa. I had the privilege of traveling the world before coming to New York City to get my degree in civil engineering, and am now pursuing my masters of science in nursing.  

One of my favorite activities is spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy being part of student organizations and working on projects that concern community engagement and technological integration into health care fields. Also, I used to enjoy activities like reading, watching movies and soccer games, and playing soccer to take time to reflect or just get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is those moments that will truly keep me centered in such a fast-paced and high-stress field.  

Why did you decide to pursue nursing, and why did you choose Columbia?  

My background in civil engineering shaped my thinking to be very structured and problem-solving oriented. Over time, I realized I wanted to work more directly with people, especially in ways that felt meaningful on a human level, and find a way to make a difference in others’ lives in a conscious way. Nursing provides that. It is among the few careers that incorporate science, reason, and the true worth of human interaction on a daily basis.  

I chose Columbia because of its strong clinical training and its focus on leadership. I wanted to be in an environment that would challenge me, not just academically, but personally. Columbia also offered exposure to diverse patient populations and complex health care systems, especially here in New York City, which has been an invaluable part of my growth.  

What are you passionate about, and how has being a student at Columbia Nursing allowed you to follow that passion?  

I am very interested in the mental health field and accessibility to care for the communities that often lack it. I have witnessed the general oversight and disregard many have for the mentally ill, and I want to help change that. I have been able to run with my passion at Columbia, through my psychiatric rotation at NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center and my psych integration at Harlem Hospital. I have gained an understanding of what it truly means to show up for people who need you when they are at their most vulnerable. With my involvement in student organizations and beyond my clinical work, I have also had the opportunity to think on a broader scale about what kind of impact I can have, be it through activism, education, or innovation in care delivery for the future. Columbia has also pushed me to think not only about being a good nurse but about what kind of difference I can make.  

Do you have a favorite memory of your time at Columbia Nursing?  

I will never forget the time I had at the Sim lab with our wonderful instructor Mary Moran, who passed away in the fall. She really influenced us, teaching us how to keep a positive attitude and control stress in chaotic situations. Her words, "Don't worry, you have got this," are with me when I am afraid that I might be missing some detail, and have become a source of positive thought and courage. The cherished memories that I have gained are numerous and varied; my experience at Columbia has also been characterized by stimulating and engaging learning activities and challenging yet informative clinical experiences from which I have always come out as a better nursing student. I will always remember and value the sense of community I felt through the PLAN program, my exceptional clinical group, and clubs such as Men in Nursing, and Columbia Nursing Pathways Collective Club. To have peers I know share my struggles, to lean on one another, and strive towards the same goal is just wonderful.  

What are your next steps after graduation?  

I intend to develop my clinical exposure after I graduate and become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. My goal is to integrate mental health care with community-based and innovative approaches in the long term, since we as a community have opportunities to leverage technologies to create additional access and patient education. I’m also thinking about how I can transform health care beyond the bedside, by developing programs, advocacy, or even building businesses.  

Is there anything else you’d like to add?  

Although it was not always easy, this has been the most rewarding time in my life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers, advisors, PLAN mentors, students and the amazing clinical instructors (Angelo, Joshua, and Erin, Jenna, Arleen, and Yashoda, Prof. Sharon…) who have helped me along the way. The greatest thing I've learned is that sometimes comfort and growth cannot both exist at the same time. The challenges I have overcome during my time at Columbia Nursing have made me a more capable and intelligent future nurse. I'm excited and proud of how far I have come.