Next Generation Nursing Know-How
Dinner table conversations about his mother’s nursing experiences led Nicholas Keepers to TU’s undergraduate program in nursing.
When Nicholas Keepers began working on the Oncology Floor of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), just minutes from the TU campus, he was following in his mother’s footsteps.
“Oncology care today requires less in-patient care and more outpatient care at infusion and radiation centers,” says Keepers. “Medical advancements have changed the delivery of cancer care.” During his first-year nurse residency program, he is taking courses, attending hospital orientations and learning how the oncology floor operates.
“I received a solid foundation at TU,” says Keepers. “I had so much exposure in courses, practical training and work placements.” His research at TU led to a paper on nursing care for individuals living with dissociative disorders which he co-authored with Briana Snyder, assistant professor of nursing. The paper was presented at the fall conference of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
“ I had so much exposure in courses, practical training and work placements. ”
Clinical Associate Professor Regina Twigg was an important influence in Keepers’ development. “She made me feel confident in my abilities as a future nurse. She was a consistent source of encouragement, and it made a true difference in my success.”
When faced with one of the most difficult courses in the program, Keepers attributes the teaching style of biology professor Erik Silldorff to his success. “The anatomy content is tough, but he provided visual cues then context about how each anatomical component works.”
One of Keepers most meaningful experiences came through an internship at Baltimore’s Helping Up Mission. “I have always had a heavy heart for the homeless,” says Keepers. “They need advocates, and I got a bird’s eye view of their lives and how we can serve them better.”