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Erneshia Willingham

975

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

My name is Erneshia, but everyone calls me Ernie. I’m a nursing student at Waubonsee Community College with over 10 years of experience working as a CNA in home health, nursing homes, and hospitals. I’ve worked in med-surg, oncology, bone marrow transplant, and currently the operating room. These experiences have shown me how much nurses truly impact people’s lives—and that’s exactly the kind of impact I want to make. I come from a big, supportive family and was a teen mom in high school. I had to pause my education to provide for my child, but I never gave up. I returned to school, earned my bachelor’s in psychology, and now I’m back on the path to becoming a registered nurse. My goal is to eventually become a nurse practitioner and open a clinic that serves underserved communities. I’m passionate about helping others, advocating for patients, and giving back. Nursing is more than a career to me—it’s my calling.

Education

Waubonsee Community College

Associate's degree program
2024 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

University of Illinois at Chicago

Bachelor's degree program
2012 - 2017
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

    • Nurse Technician

      UI Health
      2017 – Present8 years
    Beverly J. Patterson Scholarship
    I am passionate about nursing because I truly want to be there for people when they are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Being in the hospital can be scary, overwhelming, and emotional. Patients are in pain, away from their families, and unsure of what is going to happen next. I want to be a steady presence during those moments. I want to show patients that they are not alone and that someone is there who genuinely cares about them as a person. I want to make sure they feel safe, respected, and heard. To me, nursing is not just about physical care—it is also about emotional support and human connection. Patients deserve to feel like they are more than just a diagnosis or a room number. That is the kind of nurse I want to be every single day. Throughout my career, I hope to keep growing both personally and professionally. I want to be someone who gives back—not just to my patients, but to the nursing field as a whole. I plan to start off strong at the bedside, learning everything I can, asking questions, and really developing my skills. Over time, I want to go back to school and become a nurse practitioner. I am always looking for opportunities to grow, and I want to take what I learn and use it to give even better care. I believe there is always room to improve, and I plan to stay a lifelong learner in this profession. The area of nursing I feel most drawn to is the intensive care unit. I like the fast pace and the need for strong critical thinking. You are taking care of some of the sickest patients in the hospital, and it takes real teamwork and focus. I enjoy the challenge of that environment and the opportunity to really advocate for my patients when they cannot speak for themselves. I plan to get certified as a critical care registered nurse and be active in my unit. I want to do more than just clock in and out—I want to help my team grow, share ideas that improve patient outcomes, and eventually be involved in research that makes care better for everyone. At the heart of everything I do, my goal is to help people and make a difference. Nursing is not just a job to me—it is something I believe I was meant to do.
    Erneshia Willingham Student Profile | Bold.org