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A legacy in Nursing: Meet Fall 2024 PNW graduate Christiana Ndukaife

A legacy in Nursing: Meet Fall 2024 PNW graduate Christiana Ndukaife

As a child, Christiana Ndukaife, ’24, spent holidays helping her grandmother, a nurse, care for underprivileged patients at her clinic in Nigeria. That experience inspired her to earn a bachelor of science degree in Nursing from the College of Nursing at Purdue University Northwest.

Ndukaife, who grew up in Awba-Ofemili in Nigeria, initially set out to follow in her brothers’ footsteps and become an engineer. Her father reminded her of her childhood interest in healthcare and her dream of becoming a nurse. “I would watch my grandmother at her clinic, and while I couldn’t give injections or treat patients, I would get supplies,” says Ndukaife. “That was the beginning of my interest in nursing.”

While at PNW, Ndukaife was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, which is open to nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship. She was a member of the PNW chapter of the American Red Cross Club, a student academic tutor for nursing courses and a community assistant for student housing.

After a class assignment introduced her to the Sojourner Truth House in Gary, a day shelter for at-risk women and children, Ndukaife started spending time there as a volunteer. She also volunteered her time for the American Heart Association.

After graduation, Ndukaife will concentrate on passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a standardized test that nursing students must pass to become registered nurses, before beginning her career at Corewell Health in Michigan. Within 10 years, she hopes to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) degrees. Ultimately, she would like to return to Nigeria and run her own medical clinic.

Why did you choose to attend PNW?

“Actually, my family chose PNW for me. Three of my elder brothers attended PNW. They said it was a great school and I would love it. That made me want to learn more about PNW.”

What did you like most about PNW?

“I liked the small class sizes and the resources the school provides for students. The number one thing I liked was the ratio of students to teachers. Before transferring to PNW, I was in nursing school in Nigeria, where the class sizes were over 100 students to each professor. I felt like my voice wasn’t heard. Here at PNW, class sizes were never over 30 people and most of the time the professor had a teaching assistant to help.”

What did you like most about the nursing program at PNW?

“The professors are very knowledgeable and really interested in student success. I also loved the well thought out plan they have for clinical rotations. I had the best experiences in each of my clinicals and was able to get an understanding of what each area was all about – that helped me narrow down what areas I wanted to work in.”

How do you think your involvement in campus organizations and activities helped define your success at PNW?

“The volunteer opportunities I participated in I had to be able to deal with all types of people. It helped me work better with people, talk to them, be compassionate and understand how they are feeling. In nursing you have to understand your patients and their feelings – it’s not only about their physical illness.”

What words of advice would you share with prospective students looking to attend PNW?

“Be ready to work hard. The professors are great and they’re here for a reason – they’re trying to teach you to do better. Don’t expect to be given a grade you didn’t earn, especially in the nursing program, because you’re dealing with lives.”

Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?

Michelle Mason

Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

“Professor Mason was awesome. She has been there every step of the way for me. She is the one person that I can go to with questions and she will always answer. I wish everybody could have her as a professor.”