A Strong Support System Fuels Career Success – Kelsieanne Schmidt (RN)

“Nursing is an incredibly rewarding field where I am challenged to solve problems, develop new skills, and serve as an advocate for my patients and their families.

I currently work in the Children’s Resource Unit at Duke University Hospital taking care of children from birth through 21 years of age. I hold a bachelor’s in nursing, which I earned after my time at Meredith, and am a registered nurse and certified pediatric nurse. I am trained in many pediatric specialties, including intensive care, neonatal, transplant, general surgery, cardiology, oncology, and neurology.

A typical day for me includes monitoring and assessing patients, administering medications and treatments, assisting with procedures, documenting interventions and patient progress, providing emotional support and updates for families, and collaborating with other team members. 

I knew I would receive the education and support I needed to thrive at Meredith. The traditions, small classroom sizes, and opportunities for student leadership roles ultimately led me to attend and study public health and biology. 

My academic advisor worked with me to ensure that I had all the prerequisites I needed to apply for nursing school and suggested classes to develop a strong foundation. My Meredith education expanded my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, human behavior, and the scientific methods used in healthcare. 

As a junior, I developed a strong relationship with the director of Health Services, who is also the advisor for PEARLS, Meredith’s student-led peer education health club. I quickly looked to her as a mentor because she had a background and a strong passion for nursing and education. She was able to provide me with the guidance and support I needed to pursue a career in nursing. To this day she is still one of my biggest support systems, offering me encouragement, advice, reflection, and friendship. 

During my senior year, I participated in undergraduate research, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, all of which I use heavily in my career today. I conducted research on vaccine hesitancy among undergraduate students at Meredith with my advisor and the director of Health Services. I helped identify and address perceived barriers associated with COVID-19 vaccines. Faculty from the biology department, Health Services, Human Resources, and I worked together to develop an educational webinar as we prepared for Meredith’s first COVID-19 vaccine clinic. This experience played a big role in solidifying my passion for nursing through direct health promotion and protection of the communities around me.”