Nina Ali, BSN, RN, Presidential Scholar

• Hometown: Miami, FL
  
• Favorite Self-Care Activities: Hiking, reading fiction books
• Undergraduate Education: Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University
  
• Current Program: PhD

I chose UB SON for the opportunity to conduct research on social/health issues, and for the ability to complete my graduate education online wherever I live.

My areas of interest are human trafficking and sexual assault nurse examining (SANE). My interest sparked while caring for assault victims as an emergency department registered nurse. Coming from a big city with a high prevalence of human trafficking, I also became interested in researching this to support victims’ health care needs, whether it be psychological or medical.

My clinical practice has developed my knowledge on these interests; however, I hope to gain further understanding of my topic through research with trauma centers and hospitals.

My professional goals are to guide nursing practice, protocols and curriculum to support victims of sexual assault and lead to less perpetual trauma.

My pursuits will transform health care by reforming nursing practice and policies to care for an often-forgotten patient population in which many hospitals are ill-equipped for. I hope my findings will result in less turning away of these patients and lead to more positive outcomes in long-term recovery.

I am thankful to have received this scholarship as it will allow me to focus fully on school. This scholarship has removed financial barrier that would have prevented me from pursuing a graduate education. I feel like it is now possible for me to contribute to an understudied area and discover nursing advancements to help victims of trauma.