Traditional BSN Spotlight: Nya Little
Posted on October 31, 2022 by Email College of Nursing
Coming from Athens, Alabama, nursing student Nya Little set out on a mission to be the first in her family to complete a degree in the medical field. Nya鈥檚 interest in nursing peaked in high school when she joined a health sciences program and became certified as a personal care assistant. As she shadowed doctors, nurses and everything in between, it became clear to her what her sights would be set on.
The 麻豆直播 intrigued Nya because it was far enough away from home so that she could be her own person, but close enough to home if she ever became homesick. Her experience with staff and faculty have played a huge role in the positive experience she has had on 麻豆直播鈥檚 campus.
鈥淒r. Scott was a big help. She is very kind and always encourages us by letting us know that we鈥檒l get through it and that it鈥檚 going to be okay,鈥� Nya said. 鈥淲hen I first started nursing school, I talked a lot to Dr. Dixon. She really helped me out those first few semesters. There was just a lot of encouragement going on between these two people that I feel like really helped me out a lot.鈥�
Starting at the 麻豆直播 in the fall semester of 2019, Nya had a college experience that many others who started during this time shared. Not being able to finish her second semester of freshman year on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic kept Nya from being able to get a typical college experience.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 come back to campus until I started nursing school as a junior; I was gone for a year and a half, so I didn鈥檛 get the whole freshman experience, so it was kind of weird,鈥� she said.
However, despite the unexpected setback of taking all prerequisite courses online, Nya did not let this slow her down. She is on track to graduate in May 2023 with her eyes set on becoming an emergency room nurse. As the oldest of five siblings, chaos is more of a comfort than a distraction for Nya and is an environment she seems to thrive in.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 because I like the chaos,鈥� Nya laughed. 鈥淚 know that鈥檚 insane, but I think it鈥檚 because I like the fact that it鈥檚 different people every day. There are so many different things constantly challenging your knowledge.鈥�
On top of being a senior in nursing school, Nya spends her free time working as a tutor for the Center for Academic Excellence and is involved with the College of Nursing EMPOWER program. The EMPOWER program is an academic and student success program focused on recruiting, retaining and graduating students of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in nursing. With both of these, Nya finds a safe space on campus doing what she loves, helping others.
Nya attributes her confidence and motivation to the EMPOWER program as they helped her through her classes. Because of this, she strives to be able to give back to her peers in the same community and tutors in her spare time.
鈥淚 really enjoy seeing people succeed. I absolutely love it when the people I tutor come back and they鈥檙e like 鈥榶ou鈥檒l never believe it!鈥� It鈥檚 nice to see them come back and tell me that they did it and that they have this newfound confidence. The EMPOWER program told me that I could do it, so I want to give it back to them,鈥� Nya said.
With a passion for leading others towards success, Nya is nothing short of qualified for the task. Her self-proclaimed hidden talent is her ability to tell you the pathway of the heart in multiple different ways.
鈥淚 tutor on it every single week. I can tell you about it 17 different ways! I can draw it for you, I can write it out in words, we can talk and make a story about it. I鈥檓 all about the pathway of the heart.鈥�
While here at 麻豆直播, Nya鈥檚 passion not only drives her love for what she does in school but throughout her personal life as well. Taking time to put into people that have put time into you is a core belief for Nya. She thanks her best friend and roommate Darian for being such a strong support system throughout their college careers. Although the two are in completely different majors, they both share a love for helping others and being there for each other.
The 麻豆直播鈥檚 traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a four-year program designed for students with a high school diploma. Traditionally, the first two years are spent in meeting general university requirements with courses in science, math, arts and humanities, while the last two years are focused on the professional preparation in nursing. The BSN program provides the skills necessary for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. To learn more about the Traditional BSN Pathway, contact the College of Nursing at conbsn@southalabama.edu.
What mantra/motto inspires you each day?
It鈥檚 hard, but it鈥檚 doable.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
All of my tattoos match with one of my friends.
What is your best advice for incoming freshmen?
Go to class even if you think it鈥檚 the easiest class possible, you never know what you might learn from it. Make time for yourself! Even I still struggle with making time for myself, but it鈥檚 important to learn. Time management is your best friend.
What is your favorite student activity/event at 麻豆直播?
I went to the homecoming game this semester, it was actually my first football game ever here. I also went to the step show and I really enjoyed it, that was also my first time ever going to one. I don鈥檛 get to go to a lot but I鈥檓 really trying to push myself to do some stuff as I lead up to graduation for the experience!
What is your favorite place to study on campus?
The Marx Library first floor in the commons. I grew up with four siblings. My mom is partially deaf in one ear, and my brother is fully deaf in one ear. I鈥檓 used to a lot of screaming and yelling and noise, so I prefer chaos. If I sit in complete silence it drives me insane.