College of Nursing graduate Mary Forbes says her calling to the nursing profession began with her appreciation for human interaction and care providing.  

“While I considered other careers in medicine, what sets nursing apart is the privilege of being directly at the bedside, caring for patients on a deeper, more intimate level,” Forbes said. “Nursing is a powerful career, offering the unique ability to truly know and care for others in ways that profoundly impact their lives.” 

While Forbes has held many roles and positions throughout her college career, a small business owner in photography, a server, caregiver, tutor, and swim instructor, Forbes turned to the Wayne State University College of Nursing BSN Second Career/Degree (CD2) pathway for a nursing education. Initially, she pursued medical school and recalled an instance during shadowing, when she noticed that one health care professional seemed to have a deeper understanding of the patient. 

“She was a Nurse Practitioner, and I decided to go to nursing school because if I can have that personalized deeper intimate knowledge of my patients, that’s worth more than anything,” Forbes said. “Everybody can read a book, but not everyone can take the time to just care.” 

The CD2 program allowed Forbes to explore her interests in each nursing specialization to learn more about different patient populations and have an interprofessional nursing education with expert faculty through clinicals.  

“The time, dedication, personalization and care the professors and faculty provide are remarkable and not something you often see at a large public university,” she said. “It’s clear that the Wayne State College of Nursing truly cares about its students.” 

During her time in the CD2 program, Forbes was able to further develop her passion in care for vulnerable patient populations of women. Her extensive community involvement blossomed at Elli’s House, a nonprofit organization geared toward serving homeless and runaway women involved in human trafficking in the city of Detroit. Forbes serves as part of the street outreach team for Elli’s House, where she distributes physical necessities such as hygiene kits and lunches on Detroit’s eastside. 

“Building relationships with the community is just more important than anything because you have to build trust with the community that you’re helping care for and provide for,” she said.  

Forbes was connected to Deb Ellinger, the founder of Elli’s House, through Clinical Assistant Professor Nancy Hauff, PhD, RN, who originally told Forbes about the organization. Dr. Hauff also hosted a lecture during her OB clinical that focuses on the nursing care of women survivors of abuse, neglect, human trafficking and sexual violence. Forbes said this left a lasting impact on her mission to serve this patient population.  

“This experience reminded me of the deep connection between nursing, volunteerism and community service. By dedicating class time to give the opportunity to these speakers, Dr. Hauff emphasized the holistic nature of nursing and the profound privilege we have as nurses to care of human beings in their most vulnerable moments,” Forbes said. “This is just one example of how the professors at Wayne State genuinely care not just about providing an education but about shaping us into exceptional nurses.” 

She plans to pursue additional roles within Elli’s House to help grow their volunteer numbers and expand their services in the community. Her goal is to integrate her nursing degree into Elli’s House in the future.  

“I’ve been privileged to provide not only essential resources but also compassion and support, reinforcing my dedication to holistic care in nursing,” Forbes said. Through her clinical experiences, she’s been able to put this into practice. 

“As nurses, our responsibility to love and care for our neighbors begins here. Any nursing school can provide an education, but not every school will shape you into an exceptional nurse,” she said. 

After graduation, Forbes is planning to work at DMC Receiving Hospital Surgical Intensive Care Unit. She achieved this position through her leadership clinical that she had in the same ICU and getting to know the nurses. Forbes said when she worked up the courage to talk to the manager at the end of the clinical, she knew that was where she wanted to be. “That’s how I got my preceptorship, which was with that nurse. And that’s how I ultimately got this job,” Forbes said.  

As she advances in her nursing career, Forbes remains dedicated to connecting with her patients to provide them with the best possible care.  

“Whether through my occupation, my volunteer work with Elli’s House, or my studies, I’ve made it a priority to keep caring at the center of my journey to becoming a nurse,” Forbes said. “For me, nursing is more than a profession, it’s a reflection of my dedication to serving and supporting others in every aspect of my life.”