MUW Nurse Wins State Honor

McMillian

COLUMBUS, Miss. — The Mississippi Organization of Associate Degree Nurses recently named Heather McMillian of Maben as the Overall Outstanding ADN Student at its annual convention.

“It was overwhelming to hear someone else tell my story,” said McMillian.

McMillian was inspired to become a nurse after she survived a severe car accident in 2008. At the scene of the accident, McMillian was pronounced dead, but would receive CPR after the paramedics heard her make a noise.

Upon arriving to the hospital, doctors would discover that McMillian had broken her vertebrae, all her ribs, shoulder blades, right leg, left hand, lacerated her liver and collapsed both her lungs. Doctors told McMillian she would be paralyzed from the neck down and would have trouble with words, language and the retention of new material.

Even with all the injuries McMillian would only require one surgery. Her experience during her recovery process would create a heart of a nurse.

“I know how it is to exist in a room full of people, but feel alone. They are afraid to talk to you because you can’t talk back. I know how it feels to just be handled and not feel that love touch,” said McMillian.

The W sophomore’s ASN faculty nominated McMillian for the award by writing a touching two-page letter to the committee members of MOADN. The letter described McMillian’s story of brokenness, frustration, understanding and hard work. The letter described her as a natural leader in the classroom and at clinical sites.

“Heather’s success comes from her genuine desire to help people.  Her experience of loneliness, while recovering from a horrific automobile accident, created a passion to help people who are experiencing those same feelings,” said Mary Jo Kirkpatrick, department of associate nursing chair. “Her passion for people in need can be seen in her face. It is in her eyes and in her smile.”

McMillian was made aware of the award after being called on stage at the MOADN convention.

“The presenter read the award goes to…. She then read my story,” recalled McMillian. “To see thousands of nursing students cry was too much. It was simply overwhelming.”

McMillian is currently enrolled in her last semester in The W’s ADN program and maintains a GPA of 3.33. She will attend The W’s pinning ceremony May 8. After graduating, she hopes to start working on a medical surgery floor of a hospital with the ultimate goal of opening a personal care home. She even dreams of one day having the opportunity to teach nursing.

McMillian sees her story as blessing from God. She has told her story many times and will continue to tell it many more.

“I am just so blessed to have been through that. I think it kind of gives me an edge, maybe an unfair advantage. I just hope it can continue to touch people and work in my life as I continue my career,” explained McMillian.

MOADN is a state organization primarily interested in working to retain the Registered Nurse title and scope of practice for the associate degree nurse. The organization is also interested in working for nurses to have an easy transition from ADN to BSN if so chosen. In addition, MOADN works to assure quality health care for consumers by being involved with all issues concerning nursing.