Student Spotlight: Amanda Romaine, Second-Year DNP Student
Aug. 18, 2020
Student Spotlight: Amanda Romaine
Second-year Doctorate of Nursing Practice student with a specialty in pediatrics, from Prescott, Arizona.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in nursing?
My grandmother has always been a role model in my life. She was an incredibly caring person and she would go out of her way to help others. She was also a nurse in the military, and it was her kind and compassionate care for everyone around her that inspired me to look into nursing as a career. I ultimately decided on nursing in particular because I not only wanted to help others, but I wanted to do so in a personal and individualized way.
What drew you to the UArizona College of Nursing?
I knew several nurses that had graduated from the UArizona College of Nursing, and I was incredibly impressed with their passion for nursing and the types of jobs that they had started following graduation.
"My passion has always been working with children and their families to provide holistic and patient-centered care. I've worked as a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit since I graduated with my BSN in 2016, so specializing in pediatrics was a natural choice," ~ Amanda Romaine, Second-Year DNP Student
What drew you to the PNP specialty?
My passion has always been working with children and their families to provide holistic and patient-centered care. I've worked as a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit since I graduated with my BSN in 2016, so specializing in pediatrics was a natural choice.
What features of the program are you especially passionate about?
I really appreciate that I am able to complete the DNP program part-time, as it allows me to get more experience as a bedside nurse and eases the financial burden of graduate school tuition. I also appreciate the faculty's efforts to build close working relationships with their students and to ensure that we have what we need to succeed.
What faculty members have made the biggest impressions on you?
Dr. Melissa Goldsmith played a major role in the completion of my undergraduate degree and honors thesis. In addition to being incredibly intelligent, she is also a wonderful teacher and mentor. I've had the opportunity to work with Dr. Gloanna Peek both during my undergraduate experience, and now, as I complete the DNP program. Dr. Peek embodies the type of nurse practitioner that I would like to be: knowledgeable, compassionate, and enthusiastic about nursing.
Can you share a favorite memory from your time at the College of Nursing?
Looking back, one of my favorite memories from my time at the College of Nursing was my very first day of clinical rotations. I remember walking into the hospital with my clinical group and being completely terrified. Despite my apprehension, I was very excited and I felt a great sense of accomplishment at finally being able to work with patients!
What are your hopes for the future?
My hope for the future is that I can make some sort of positive difference in pediatric healthcare and form meaningful relationships with the families that I care for.
What are your extracurricular activities?
I am a nurse trainee with the University of Arizona Pediatric Pulmonary Center and I participate in many of their education and clinical opportunities. I am also the chair of the Shared Leadership Committee for the unit that I work on, and a member of the RN Think Tank, which works to implement evidence-based changes in order to improve patient care. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and exploring new places, hiking, and baking.