Elizabeth Johnson, Fuld Fellow (ABS Program)

• Program: ABS Nursing
• Hometown: Kenmore, NY
• Favorite Self-Care Activity: Singing
• Previous Education: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, and Bachelor of Arts, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester

It is a wonder that nursing didn’t find me sooner. I know many nurses, from family to friends, who have truly inspired me, and I have always been interested in health care. Similarly, my sister gave me early insight into the medical world through a battle with cancer – a view that she expanded for me when she became a doctor.

I have always been interested in how the human body works, especially in regards the interaction between the mind and the body. Post-graduation, I have been searching for a career that would incorporate these interests and provide a platform through which I can help people and give back to the community. Everyone who knew me knew I was going to be a nurse before I did. But it’s better late than never, and I am excited to pursue this career.

I was drawn to UB because of its location and interaction with the local municipalities. The hospitals and medical community in Buffalo is really extraordinary, and UB is right in the middle of all of it. UB provides its students with opportunities to learn at various hospitals and clinics, and even provides volunteer opportunities within the community. UB strives to give its students access to a wide variety of medical experiences to provide a holistic and expansive education.

At the moment, I am keeping my options open as to the type of nursing I want to specialize in. I have always been interested in oncology, specifically in pediatrics. I was exposed to that area at a very young age through my sister and have seen the profound effect nurses have had on my family.

I also love mother-baby – being there during those incredible moments of childbirth, supporting a mother, and caring for her during the happiest (or sometime the saddest) moments of her life. Psychology is also a discipline in which I am passionate, having studied and researched mental health during my undergraduate career. Needless to say, I don’t quite know what I’ll specialize in yet, but I am excited to explore all different areas of nursing.

When I am not studying, I am usually playing piano and/or singing. Whether I am at home, in church or out with my friends, you’d be hard pressed to find five minutes go by without a quick musical interlude. In college, I was a part of an a cappella group; we not only competed on an international level, but we also performed at local schools in Rochester and workshops.

I also volunteered with the Make-A-Wish foundation with my sorority. I love doing research and have worked in multiple labs studying emotions’ influence on perception and performance and human psycho-social stress responses. At the University of Rochester, I was a Bausch & Lomb Science Scholar and a member of Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology. 

After nursing school (and tackling the NCLEX), I hope to find a nursing job at one of the hospitals here in Buffalo. I also hope to resume my volunteer work for the Make-A-Wish organization. One day I may want to pursue a master's degree and become a nurse practitioner or a midwife, but for now, I am excited just to be a nurse and give back to my community in that capacity.