Graduate Student Awards Profile: Whitney M. Ellison
April 24, 2023
Hometown: Midland, MI
Program: Nursing
Dream job: Certified Nurse/Midwife
Organizations: Co-President of OADN Nursing Honor Society, Vice President of Delta College Nursing
Association
Recognition: William R. Collings Award of Excellence
"It's almost like you're waking up. I remember when it felt so far away."
Whitney Ellison, a nursing student, says, reflecting on her upcoming pinning ceremony
and commencement. She adds, “I don’t think people talk about how stressful the nursing
program is. It’s one of the hardest programs they offer at the associate level. So,
it’s surreal.”
Ellison, who will graduate from Delta College with an associate degree in nursing
on April 28, is confident and has her mind set on her future of caring for women and
their unborn babies. She has accepted a full-time position as a registered nurse at
Covenant Healthcare in Labor and Delivery – something she has wanted since stepping
foot in Delta.
Enrolled in Delta’s concurrent program, she will graduate from Saginaw Valley State
University in December with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. In 2024, she plans to
pursue a Doctor of Nurse Practice degree in the nurse-midwifery program at the University
of Michigan.
Q: What was your reaction when you learned you won the Collings award?
Ellison: I asked if they were sure they had the right person. I was just honored to be interviewed.
When I sat down for that interview and wrote out everything I've gotten to do, I was
like, “I guess I have done more than I really realized.” The interview alone made
me extremely proud of myself. I felt the meaning of honor. The times that I went days
without sleep, and I struggled to even come into the building to take a test because
my anxiety was so bad. It all came full circle. I realized that my doubt that I had
was for a reason - I had to face all of that.
Q: How would you describe your experience with Delta?
Ellison: When I first started, it was right after my mom died. I was so nervous because I wasn't
your typical college student. I started school at 27. I did not know how to “do school.”
I barely graduated high school. I remember meeting with one of my advisors, and they
were so positive about the entire thing and so encouraging. I started not having any
self-confidence or real faith in myself. Between the advisors and the professors,
it's been such a good experience. It's helped me find some of the characteristics
I love most about myself. It's made me much more of a positive person, more goal driven.
If it weren't for Delta, I wouldn’t have developed those as well as I did.
Q: What do you know now that you didn't when you started?
Ellison: That passion and purpose go hand in hand. And if you have a passion for something,
and you can make it your purpose, then your education will greatly benefit your profession.
Q: What made you gravitate toward labor and delivery?
Ellison: I have five kids and all of my pregnancies have not been ideal or typical - all of
my babies, except for one, ended up in the NICU. The nurses are the only thing that
saved me. They were so positive, and you realize how important they are and how much
support you need - somebody with that positive light and clinical judgment. That’s
what made me gravitate towards it. I started my doula training in North Carolina.
Q: What did you love about it?
Ellison: I loved everything about it! To give support and help new moms discover what their
bodies can do. When my husband got injured in Afghanistan, we moved back home, and
I didn’t just want to do the doula side of things. I wanted to be there for these
moms, so I started nursing school to do this.
Q: When you imagine your future self in your career, what does that look like?
Ellison: Becoming involved in women's health on a bigger level. I talked about how I would
love to become a midwife and continue helping women through their labor delivery or
antepartum phases. Going forth in my education, I hope to meet more people that have
legislative power to make those changes. Then hopefully, the knowledge that I have
here will impact that.
By Ashley Terrell, Writer