When College of Nursing Class of 2023 graduate Nennie Sheriff reflected on her journey in the BSN program, she said one thing was clear: She felt prepared for the next chapter of her nursing career. 

“I realized that the program was preparing us for the ‘real’ nursing world,” she said. “Now, I am grateful for that experience because it did prepare me for three 12-hour shifts each week.” 

Now working as a nurse in the Progressive Critical Care Unit at Michigan Medicine less than a year post-graduation, she feels well-prepared through hands-on learning and clinical rotations she received at the College of Nursing. 

When Sheriff began searching for a position post-graduation, she didn’t have to look far thanks to the experiences and networks she built as a student. She served as an unlicensed assistive personnel with Michigan Medicine while completing her BSN. After graduation, she stayed in contact with a former supervisor and applied for a nursing position. 

“Securing a nursing position was quite competitive, especially because I didn’t want to settle for just anything,” Sheriff said. “It was quite competitive to secure a nursing role as a new graduate with my current employer because I was competing with other applicants who were seasoned or had years of experience. However, I was selected and offered a full-time position, which I am extremely grateful for.” 

Her previous work experience at Michigan Medicine helped her stand out among applicants because she had prior knowledge of their operations and excelled in assisting them.  

In the future, Sheriff plans to return to the College of Nursing to pursue an advanced degree. “My BSN degree opened me up to the idea of pursuing an advanced degree in nursing and this is something that I am looking forward to starting very soon,” she said.  

Some of her favorite aspects of the BSN program are motivating factors behind her desire to return. Sheriff took the initiative to connect what she learned from lectures into clinical rotations to understand how nurses worked to better treat patients. Her most notable clinicals included the obstetrics rotation at DMC Hutzel Women’s Hospital in Detroit and immersion in the birthing center at Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, where she was inspired by labor and delivery nursing. 

"The clinical experiences allowed me to enhance my skill set with confidence, build meaningful connections with potential employers, exploring and discovering the type of nursing sphere I will enjoy the most,” she said. “I also had outstanding instructors and an amazing preceptor who was nurturing and supportive in so many ways.” 

Among learning through clinicals, Sheriff enjoyed being introduced to different areas of expertise that resonated with her. The community and volunteer opportunities also provided personal impact throughout the journey.  

“They enhanced my social and leadership skills. I was able to meet and connect with amazing individuals and overall, I am very passionate about giving back to my community,” said Sheriff.  

During the final weeks of the BSN program, Sheriff was challenged in ways that helped drive home her passion for nursing. In co-opting a 12-hour clinical shift in the final semester, she remembered and practiced her newly gained skills to successfully complete it.  

“The BSN degree I earned at Wayne State University is one of my greatest accomplishments yet,” Sheriff said. “A career in nursing is something I’ve always wanted, and I have so much love and respect for this profession. Wayne State believed in my abilities and presented me with the opportunities to succeed.”