May 5, 2023

The following CNHP Student Story submitted by Camryn Amen, BS nursing '23, in honor of Nurses Week 2023.

My freshman year, I was very eager to get involved on campus and experience the nursing community at Drexel. I remember my first event that I attended was making holiday cards for patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. From day one, the Drexel University Student Nursing Association (DUSNA) allowed me to feel engaged in the nursing community and provided me with ample opportunities to meet new people. During my sophomore year, I applied to and was selected to attend the Student Nursing Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) Convention in Lancaster, PA. This was the first time I realized my role as a student nurse went beyond the classroom and campus. During my junior year, I was elected the Legislative Chair of DUSNA wherein I wrote our resolution about maternal mental health that was passed at both the state and national level. I am happy to say that I am now, in my last year at Drexel, serving the role of President of DUSNA, something I could not have imagined myself doing when I attended that first event freshman year. being a part of DUSNA has really shaped my nursing experience here at Drexel.

Without DUSNA, I would have never had incredible opportunities presented to me. Between our community service and professional development events, to the state and national conventions and conferences we get to attend, it is truly such an integral part to making the most out of your college career here at Drexel. Moreover, the ability to engage with a community of my fellow nursing students, learn from them, mentor them, and overall form unbreakable bonds one of the most wonderful things that DUSNA provides.

In my five years at Drexel, I was able to experience two co-ops and over five unique clinical rotations. These provided me with technical nursing skills but also skills like professional communication, prioritization and organization, and specifically for co-op, resume building and interviewing skills. My third and final co-op was on the Intensive Care Nursery at Pennsylvania Hospital, which was my dream job and the reason why I wanted to become a nurse. Opportunities like this, to work with your dream population as an undergrad and build connections at some of the best hospitals in the city are only available at Drexel, I say that confidently. Nowhere else are you able to get specific professional experience in your area of interest so early in your career.

My junior year I participated in the Macy Undergraduate Leadership Fellowship Program. I knew that I could see myself in leadership roles, and had held many up to that point, but I felt that the fellowship would allow me to learn about what it means to be a strong leader. The fellowship allowed me to reflect on what I value as a leader, and how I could use my skills to make a change in the healthcare field.

I have been looking forward to the opening of the Health Sciences Building since my freshman year. Four years later, I am so happy to be able to experience all that this building offers. The simulation labs are miraculous and offer such incredible hands-on learning opportunities. The common areas are equipped with a variety of rooms that are conducive to different types of learning. My favorite thing about the health sciences building is that we as health sciences students finally have a home base on campus and can be fully integrated into the campus community.

Philadelphia is truly everyone's city. No matter what your interests are there is something for you here. As a nursing major, I am among one of the best healthcare cities in the world, with endless opportunities for once in a lifetime experiences. While on my clinicals and co-ops I was able to see medical care in its most cutting-edge form and its highest quality. Not only that, but I was able to care for people coming far and wide for medical treatment, but I could also give back to the community for those who make up our wonderful city. This is a really special experience and one that I am so fortunate to have inform my nursing care throughout my career.