![collage photo of five students](https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=3IZGCXW4 200w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=oSdyGI2l 260w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=1VncHw_N 320w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=UQlgSK8T 400w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=mhS8BFCK 520w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=GEwo6sbS 640w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=YTyvJDqT 800w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=ELceNuAX 1040w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=bMSUKoeT 1280w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600_21_9/public/media/images/2024-04/2024.jpg?itok=wXbN7lbX 1600w)
Perspectives from the Class of 2024
Columbia Nursing celebrates all of our students graduating this month! Graduates of our Masters Direct Entry (MDE), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), PhD, and Masters in Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership (ACML) programs told us why they chose Columbia and how their education has prepared them to excel as clinicians, scholars, leaders, and policy makers.
Nicholas Forlini
MS in Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership ’24
![Profile photo of Nicholas Forlini](https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=xwIkfsLg 200w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=cWwhRC7N 260w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=6tt1UNhi 320w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=zFE6TefZ 400w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=KWHIwrgN 520w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=4_Cu86ZO 640w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=9qrq8GRK 800w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=VPVHLwLv 1040w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=5eov_R8Q 1280w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2024-04/1.jpg?itok=4ZVmgJ3o 1600w)
All of my opportunities have stemmed from coming out of my comfort zone, taking a chance, and having the right people recognize my potential and encourage me to try.
Meghan McGuigan
DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ’24
![Profile photo of Meghan McGuigan](https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=5RnQUsJ8 200w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=-bV4ly2j 260w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=CXLwNtJ8 320w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=92oMVtPp 400w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=Thj6_owR 520w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=On6evLHG 640w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=bArmzUAu 800w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=QSSttBgh 1040w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=bxlJbSXe 1280w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2024-04/2.jpg?itok=B0VmEfZV 1600w)
I knew from an early age that I wanted to pursue a career in health care, but I think the most beautiful thing about nursing is the ability to be there for others in some of their most vulnerable moments. Very few people get to share in that level of intimacy and trust.
Sofia Rosenburg-Klainberg
DNP Midwifery ’24
![Profile photo of Sofia Rosenburg-Klainberg](https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=piqhzjSt 200w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=Jc4-FjBn 260w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=NWf2jLW0 320w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=439w1r3m 400w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=jtCOJ-cF 520w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=yX7T6MJw 640w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=ELRb3-OB 800w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=qi_oBjX6 1040w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=ox6edBZ9 1280w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2024-04/3.jpg?itok=hhQPG-Pj 1600w)
I believe that nursing education is an investment in our future nurses and nurse practitioners, allowing us to arm them to address the many vast inequities in our health care system.
Brittany Taylor
PhD ’24
![Profile photo of Brittany Taylor](https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=-cr_nJMi 200w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=SGoWTgUx 260w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=TVG2T02I 320w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=WMz1ym3G 400w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=3B9o-1FW 520w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=c-lQkgGO 640w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=3wvAANLo 800w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=Hgq8nC9k 1040w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=Wd-PVVs_ 1280w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/2024-04/4.jpg?itok=pSI9jcIW 1600w)
My two passions are women’s health and sickle cell disease. I believe both of these fields do not receive enough attention or research funding, which contributes to health disparities.
Cynthia Tiangco-Withers
MDE ’24
![](https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=o0O8ihis 200w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=b3K8DEKr 260w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=2A5MfEAd 320w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=sWDXJxog 400w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=zh0bjmLa 520w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=sYaeGNHY 640w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=YmRhbQUf 800w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=JRPwhi0M 1040w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=tt48WT2B 1280w, https://www.nursing.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/images/teaser/2024-04/april_newsletter_hero.png?itok=kCGZlXaR 1600w)
Patients (and their families) depend on us during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives, and it is essential that they are met with care that is evidence-based, culturally competent, and person-centered. Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide that holistic care.