Emily DeJonge, BSN ’04, MSN ‘12
Two-time alumna Emily DeJonge’s journey in nursing began with a deep desire to serve others. She recalled that she was drawn to it because she wished to have a meaningful job that truly aided people.
“Nursing appealed to me as a rewarding profession that helped people when they are most vulnerable and had incredible flexibility to work into various life situations, as well as opportunities in different specialties,” shared DeJonge. “It is a privilege and a monumental responsibility to care for other human beings during some of the most beautiful and fragile times of their lives.”
DeJonge graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic in 2004, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. She spent several years working in a local emergency room, which she enjoyed and found rewarding. After six years, her passion for patient care and advocacy inspired her to advance her education.
“I learned about the Clinical Nurse Leader [CNL] program offered at Florida Atlantic, and as I researched it, I discovered it was the perfect combination of everything I was looking for,” noted DeJonge. “The CNL program was fantastic for me because it blended advanced assessment, pharmacy and pathophysiology, as well as process improvement, education and leadership. It also offered an incredible opportunity to spend time in every department of the hospital and really see how they work together.”
As a student, DeJonge had key mentors in the College of Nursing who were instrumental in her nursing journey. She shared that Dr. Kathryn Keller was her lifeline as an undergraduate student, Dr. Terry Eggenberger during graduate school and Dr. Rose Sherman at various times throughout her career.
“All three provided encouragement, insights and connections to other professionals that I would have had a more challenging time forging on my own and challenged me to think differently,” expressed DeJonge. “They are brilliant women and professionals that I am proud to call friends in addition to nursing colleagues.”