Having the right support at the right time

Tuesday, Nov 01, 2022

Despite life’s unexpected turn of events, Olexandra Shevchenko, a University of Texas at Arlington family nurse practitioner (FNP) student, realized that with the right support and educational guidance nothing can stop her from achieving her goals.

“I chose UTA because after doing research on FNP programs and asking around quite a bit, everyone kept saying UTA,” said Shevchenko. “As nurses we must have the gap year between graduating with our bachelors and getting into a master's program. We work while pursuing it and UTA’s structure has a recipe for success.”

Shevchenko felt drawn to the FNP program for its ability to assess all areas of nursing. From her 13 years of nursing experience, she has dealt with areas such as geriatrics, pediatrics, ortho, MedSurg, and cardiovascular. FNP deals with it all and with her interest in a wide variety of areas, Shevchenko knew it was the best program for her. She also appreciates that UTA’s classes are structured around getting the students full participation and success. Since there is one class at a time, Shevchenko can pay full attention to one subject and ensure her success within the courses.

While completing her FNP program track, Shevchenko and the world, received news of the situation happening in Ukraine. As a native born Ukrainian, Shevchenko felt she was in a vulnerable, tough mental and physical state during this time.

“You cannot prepare for this situation at all,” said Shevchenko. “It’s the constant fear that at any point you can lose a loved one. When I made the decision to go to Poland to evacuate my little cousins, everyone in the program was so supportive and made sure that they were here for me once I got back.”

The entire program was always supporting Shevchenko. From her coach, Elizabeth Fuentes, to her professor, Lynda Jarrell, to the program’s advising department, there was always immense support for Shevchenko. When Elizabeth Fuentes reached out to the faculty and professors, the program checked in with all students who may have gone through hardships during this time as an outlet of support to all. Upon her return, Shevchenko was able to resume the program and pick up where she left off. She praises Rhonda Jordan who helped her navigate through the semester.

“I am so blessed with this whole situation in Ukraine,” said Shevchenko. “I have been telling everybody that my school surrounds me with such kind people, and I have nothing but good things to say about the program and everyone in it. I feel so grateful that I was with the program during this specific time in my life.”

Currently, Shevchenko is doing pediatrics and gynecology. After completing the FNP program, she hopes to return to family practice full time since that is where her interest and heart lie within this field.

“To any Ukrainian transfer students at UTA or anywhere in America, stay strong,” says Shevchenko. “When I get down and things are looking bad, I have to say we are Ukrainians, we are strong, and we have inner spirit. All of us here are so blessed and I truly realized how blessed we are to live in a country that you can make anything you want out of yourself if you put enough work and effort into it.”

-Written by Midori Hrinda, UTA College of Nursing