Training the Next Generation of Nurses

First Day of School at Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing: New Beginnings and Shared Aspirations

By Diego Ortiz Quintero

Special to Mount Sinai 

Manhattan Voice 

September 17, 2024

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NEW YORK - A group of students from varied backgrounds, but all aspiring to help others, recently began an exciting new chapter in their lives at the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, as they embarked on their first day of a journey that promises to be both challenging and rewarding. 

The students are part of the 15th cohort to purse an Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing, which is Mount Sinai’s program designed for individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing discipline or major to prepare for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.

This program is important because, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the United States is projected to experience a shortage of Registered Nurses that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and the need for health care grows. Compounding the situation is the fact that nursing schools across the country are struggling to expand capacity to meet the rising demand for care.

"The first day of school marks the beginning of a transformative journey for our students,” said Kimberly Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, Dean of the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing. “As we welcome cohort number 15, we are reminded that each new class brings with it a fresh wave of passion, dedication, and diverse perspectives. This program is not just about earning a degree; it’s about forging a path to make a profound impact in the world of health care. We are honored to support these remarkable individuals as they embark on this challenging yet immensely rewarding journey, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements along the way."

She added, “As these students embark on their educational journey at the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, we wish them all a successful and fulfilling school year.”

One of the new students is Sevara Ashurova, 22, from the Forest Hill neighborhood in Queens, who graduated from Hunter College with a degree in human biology this summer. She shared her personal connection to nursing. 

"Nursing has always been my passion," she explained during a break on the first day of school on Wednesday, September 4. "Coming from a family of nurses, especially with my mom as a role model, inspired me to follow this path." 

Debbie Ann Williams, 43, who is originally from Jamaica and now lives in Jamaica, Queens, brings a unique perspective as she transitions from working as a career advisor and HR coordinator for a hospital in Queens. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Career Development at the Vocational Training Development Institute in Jamaica in 2012.

What drew Williams to Mount Sinai was a combination of personal recommendation and her own research. 

"I found that Mount Sinai is top-ranked, especially this program," she said. “It's an excellent opportunity for me to make a career change at this age and in only 15 months.”

Graduates of this full-time, 15-month, program are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and are well-prepared to pursue graduate nursing degrees. All students must complete prerequisites before entering the program. 

The latest cohort includes two friends who have known each other since high school, Anjienna Lowtan and Nisha Troupe, 22, from Queens, who view their shared journey as a source of support. 

"Knowing that you already have a friend who understands your history and can support you through this challenging time is a huge relief," Troupe said.

The first day of school is often a mix of excitement and anxiety, and for many students, a math assessment test looms as a particular stressor. 

Rika Weiss from Long Island admitted to feeling nervous about both the test and the uncertainty of beginning something new.

"We have our first test today, so that's a little nerve-wracking," she said. “Also the start of something new and the unknown can be nerve wracking.”

Ella Bardin, 23, who moved to New York from California, also faced the first-day jitters. "It's the first day, and we have a math validation exam for dosage calculations," she explained. "I was nervous at first but I’ve been reassured by professors that we’ve been handpicked and they want us to succeed. That helps a lot."

Charalambos “Lambos” Miltiadou, 42, who is originally from Cyprus, says that for him, going back to school after being away from education for more than a decade is like riding a bicycle.  "You can forget it for a while, but when you get back on, it all comes back to you," he said. 

More than 75 percent of students will successfully complete the program within six academic semesters (the expected completion time is four academic semesters). Upon completion of the accelerated program, graduates’ licensure exam pass rates (for first-time test takers) have been at a minimum of 80 percent, and 80 percent or more of the graduates will obtain employment as registered nurses within twelve months of graduation.