Category: School of Nursing
CHS Class of 2025 Spotlight: Nursing
May 21, 2025 Written by Amy Cherry | Photos by Ashley Barnas Larrimore
We're honoring the Class of 2025 by spotlighting some of the best and brightest graduates from the School of Nursing:
Ashley Hommel
Nursing major
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Unique. Challenging. Fun.
Why Ashley chose UD?
“It was a perfect distance from home in Long Island, NY – so not too far. The campus is beautiful, and I knew people who went here and loved it.”
How it felt to step foot on campus for the first time:
“I was walking on the Green and knew I could see myself there.”
Why did you choose nursing?
“My mom’s a nurse in a cardiac unit, and during COVID, I saw how she handled it. I saw resilience in her, and it inspired me, and I never looked back.”
Post-graduation plans:
“I am applying for nursing positions in the intensive care unit or the emergency room back home on Long Island. I am also interested in starting in a medical-surgical unit and seeing where it takes me.”
How did UD help prepare you for your future career?
“Starting nursing classes in my sophomore year helped me delve into labs and simulations, working with healthcare theatre students who are your patients creates confidence in your skills. You always had the opportunity to practice your skills in open labs. My professors have all been great and supportive. It was a really hard four years, but I had so much support and motivation.”
Favorite academic experience:
“Clinicals were interesting. Every semester, I had two rotations and worked with a completely different group of people. We all learned from each other, and the instructors were so great. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”
Favorite clinical rotation:
“I enjoyed my preceptorship in a stepdown unit. It was constantly busy.”
Favorite non-academic experience:
Living off-campus. "I don’t live with nursing students, so it’s been a nice break. I’ve met so many people from different majors. I also participated in yoga club.”
What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?
“Being a Blue Hen means being part of a proud, resilient, and passionate community. As a Blue Hen, I embrace the tradition and camaraderie of the University of Delaware with a commitment to excellence, curiosity, and personal growth both in and out of the classroom. Being a Blue Hen has taught me to take every opportunity and leave a lasting impact!”
Samantha Muza
Honors nursing major | Disability studies minor | First-generation college student
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Transformative, Empowering, Enlightening.
Why did Samantha choose UD?
“I liked that UD wasn’t too far from home in Smyrna. I really liked that UD’s nursing program was direct entry, so you start your nursing education right away, and I appreciated the offerings like the simulations and research opportunities.”
How it felt to step foot on campus for the first time:
“The first time I stepped foot on campus was after I had already committed. I was a little overwhelmed because it was so big, but I was so excited!”
Why did you choose nursing?
“I’ve had two open-heart surgeries. I spent a lot of time in the hospital growing up, and the care I received growing up is what inspired me to be a nurse. When I was around 13-14 years old, I was at Nemours, and the care provided to me inspired me to want to help children going through the same thing. The nurses there helped shape who I am today.”
Post-graduation plans:
“I aim to be a nurse in pediatrics and plan to take advantage of the direct admission into UD’s master of science in nursing program and take classes while I’m getting bedside experience.”
How did UD help prepare you for your future career?
“The nursing program has given me so many opportunities. Clinical rotations have shown me so many different areas of care. I loved the specialized NICU/PICU class. The overall support I’ve had from faculty in the nursing program. Anytime I had any questions or concerns, my professors were happy to help. The simulations we have are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The manikins are so lifelike, and we’re able to practice our skills, which has given me more confidence heading into my nursing career.”
Favorite clinical rotation:
"My favorite clinical rotation was my preceptorship in the ICU Resource Pool at Nemours Children's Health. The experience allowed me to rotate through the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), where I gained valuable exposure to high-acuity pediatric care.
"As someone with a strong passion for pediatrics, I found this rotation particularly meaningful. I had the opportunity to learn from experienced and dedicated critical care nurses, whose knowledge, compassion, and mentorship greatly enhanced my clinical skills and deepened my commitment to pursuing a career in pediatric nursing."
Favorite academic experience:
“Being able to participate in undergraduate research on high school students with congenital heart defects, which has personal ties for me. It’s led to so many different opportunities that I never would have known were possible. I presented at the CHS Research & Innovation Day, wrote an undergraduate thesis, and will graduate with distinction. Interacting on a different level with some of my professors, including Drs. Jennifer Saylor and Jennifer Graber, has been rewarding.”
Favorite non-academic experience:
“The friendships I’ve made within the nursing program – getting to meet so many people and bond with them over something so special to us. It’s a difficult degree, but making friends who are going through the same thing you are and learning from each other has been a great experience.”
What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?
“Being a Blue Hen means growing my nursing career and working in the state I’ve lived in my entire life. Being a Blue Hen is a profound source of pride and responsibility. It represents the values of integrity, resilience, and community that are ingrained in the University of Delaware’s culture. As a Blue Hen, I am part of a legacy of individuals who are not only committed to academic excellence but also to making a positive impact in the world. The sense of belonging and camaraderie within the UD community has shaped me into a more compassionate, driven, and capable individual, prepared to contribute meaningfully to both my profession and society. Being a Blue Hen is a reminder of the shared pursuit of knowledge and the dedication to service that I carry with me as I take the next step in my journey.”
Emma Okonowicz
Honors nursing major
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Challenging. Rewarding. Exciting.
Why Emma chose UD:
“I’ve grown up in this area and always loved the campus. I’d come here with my family on the weekends since I lived locally. The nursing program has a great reputation, and my mom went to UD for nursing, and it made me more interested. Both my parents are nurses. My dad is a psychiatric nurse, and my mom is a cardiac stepdown nurse.”
How it felt to step foot on campus for the first time:
“It was Decision Day when I realized UD would be my home for the next few years.”
Why Emma chose nursing:
“Both my parents are nurses. So, from a young age, I’ve seen how they’ve impacted patients and given back. Some days were stressful, but for the most part, they’d talk about their patients and the positive impacts they’ve had on their lives.
“I love giving back, helping other people, and getting to know patients on a deep, personal level, and I look forward to giving back to the community where I grew up.”
Post-graduation:
“I will be working in the medical ICU at Christiana Hospital.”
How did UD prepare you for your future career?:
“My professors have been such a huge support system. But getting involved in leadership opportunities like UDance, where I serve as a representative for the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority. We’ve raised over $20,000 since I’ve been a rep.”
Favorite academic experience:
“Getting to be part of the Beta Xi Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, where I’m a leadership intern. I attend board meetings and network with other nursing professors. I’ve met so many nursing role models through my involvement in the organization.”
Favorite clinical rotation:
“For my senior nursing preceptorship, I worked one-on-one with a registered nurse in ChristianaCare’s Medical ICU. This preceptorship provided me with hands-on experience dealing with critically ill patients and helped expose me to various equipment and interventions used in the intensive care environment.”
Favorite non-academic experience:
“I love running along the trails with my friends in Newark.”
What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?
“Being a Blue Hen means making a second family and having a lot of exciting opportunities to look forward to.”
Jackson Tomasco
Nursing major
Three words to describe the UD CHS experience:
Spontaneous. Enriching. Challenging.
Why Jackson chose UD:
“I really liked the white columns and the brick on campus. I come from a place that has more trees than people, and I really like all the greenery.”
Why Jackson chose nursing:
“Nothing made more sense to me. I like that nursing requires you to act holistically, and you have to treat people that way. People are more than their chart; they’re more than what they seem to be. They are a sum of many people before them and all their experiences, memories, thoughts, and actions, and you must know all of that to treat them correctly. Nursing requires you to really know people, and I love people”
Post-graduation plans:
“Working at The Johns Hopkins Hospital as an oncology nurse.”
How did UD prepare you for your future career?
“Faculty and staff were always available and willing to help. I never felt like I had to jump through more hoops than necessary. I was always able to reach out to my professors and others around me to simply ask questions, network, ask for opportunities and resources, and those resources were readily available – all I had to do was ask.”
Favorite academic experience:
“Our Simulation Lab is really impressive. The amount of effort the Simulation Lab staff puts into making our sim labs accurate and representative of patient care and clinical experiences really makes those educational opportunities more lifelike and rewarding."
Favorite clinical rotation:
“I really enjoyed my hospice rotation this past fall. Hospice patients often can’t communicate what they need, so you must be very patient-focused and know them and their families. Hospice care is something I’m passionate about and an area where I see myself working in the future.”
Favorite non-academic experiences:
“UD’s Alternative Breaks program gave me the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico, Maine, and North Carolina, deepening my commitment to service. Through this program, I learned more about people, communities, and cultures while working with like-minded people to combat social justice issues like affordable housing, world poverty, disaster relief, and ecological justice.
“I went to Puerto Rico twice during my sophomore and senior years. As a sophomore, I was a participant, and as a senior, I led the program with two other site leaders. That program truly taught me the value of being curious and vulnerable, and that allows someone to be a true community collaborator.
“I also participated in the QUEST program, which is designed to help create connections across campus with other first-year students and upper-class peer mentors and build your confidence. Over the years, I became more involved and became a peer mentor. The program helped me think more about myself and how my actions impact others. It inspired me to ask questions and be introspective.”
What does being a Blue Hen mean to you?
“Being a Blue Hen means growing together.”
