91ÊÓƵ

For Karen O’Connell ’26, ±Ê²¹³¦±ð’s Lienhard School of Nursing offered more than an accelerated path to a new career. It provided a caring community of classmates, dedicated faculty mentors, and transformative clinical experiences, including a labor and delivery placement at Montefiore Einstein. Inspired by the support she received throughout her journey, Karen is ready to make a difference in the lives of children, families, and underserved communities.

±Ê²¹³¦±ð’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABS) is an accelerated nursing degree for career changers and second-degree students. Initially a photographer, how did you become interested in nursing?

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Growing up, I was an anxious child and always struggled in school. Seeking a creative outlet as an undergraduate at SUNY Purchase, I decided on a BFA in photography. For the first time, I excelled in school, and through portraiture, developed a deep interest in individuals and their stories. After graduating, the COVID pandemic hit, and I lost my job. I also wanted to work with an underserved population and support children and young adults who needed extra help, just as I did as a child.

So, I first took on a nanny role, and later, worked as a teaching assistant at the Rebecca School for children and young adults with behavioral and neurodevelopmental disabilities. This experience changed my life. I met incredible students and co-workers and learned that I wanted to be a lifeline to families in need, and nursing would be that path.

Congratulations on recently passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). How is becoming a nurse meaningful to you and what difference do you hope to make as a part of this profession?

I was once a child who needed a lot of extra support, and, as a nurse, I want to view each child holistically and understand both their culture and history, so I can provide relevant, respectful care that they can actually follow through with. At the Rebecca School, I learned how much a care team can do when it both listens to parents and their concerns without judgment and sets realistic goals for each child, and I want to give families hope and improve their children’s lives in a way that is collaborative, holistic, and realistic for them.

Why did you choose to enroll at 91ÊÓƵ?

The ABSN program is just 11 months long and I also loved the hospitals that 91ÊÓƵ partners with. I completed my preceptorship in Labor and Delivery at Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx and learned about so many cultures while gaining experience on providing medications, checking vital signs, witnessing emergency C-sections, and assessing newborns. I was lucky to have such an awesome placement. 91ÊÓƵ was also a short commute from home and is considered a great nursing program in New York City, so all these were deciding factors.

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What have your experiences been like as a student at the Lienhard School of Nursing within the College of Health Professions? What faculty have been particularly instrumental in your academic journey?

If you’re considering 91ÊÓƵ for your nursing degree, I couldn’t recommend it more. My preceptors were always engaged and wanted to give students the best placement experiences. My faculty, Assistant Professor Elizabeth Berro, PhD, RN, CHSE, CNE and Assistant Professor Joana Velasquez, PhD, RN, CNOR, were passionate and I felt so supported and inspired by them. My role models in the field were Sarah Browne, RN, my pediatrics preceptor, and Claire Megie, RCN, my med-surg preceptor. I also felt so supported by my classmates and professors during an especially difficult time when my dad passed. I kept going because I felt so encouraged and inspired by them, and they were patient and understanding as I worked to finish the program.

What are your post-graduation/career plans?

I’m keeping an open mind, but I would like to work in psychiatry, labor and delivery, or pediatrics, and in a public hospital. Even though I understand it’s less glamorous, I believe I’ll get the best hands-on experience there and work with an underserved population.