Inspired by her mom, WVU senior anticipates a rewarding career in nursing
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Growing up, Selasi Asamoah saw how much joy nursing brought her mom Angela, so she wanted to follow in her footsteps.
“I saw nursing as such a rewarding career,” said Asamoah, of Charles Town. “Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse.”
The senior WVU School of Nursing student is well on her way to making that dream a reality, as her graduation is set for December 2025. While her mom specialized in geriatric care, Asamoah is considering the opposite end of the spectrum with pediatrics, neonatal intensive care or labor and delivery.
“I’ve always been really drawn to working with children,” Asamoah shared. “Kids are so open to the world and the environment around them, so it’s cool for me to see things through their eyes. For sick kids, I like to think that I can be someone who can help them learn, grow, and play like they’re supposed to.”
Her clinical rotation in obstetrics was especially impactful. She said her clinical instructor Kelly Lemon made the experience fun and exciting, and she was very approachable.
“When you’re in clinicals, you want to give your patients the best care, so it’s important to be able to have an instructor you can ask questions,” Asamoah said.
Through her clinical experience, she said she is especially proud of her communication skills with her patients. Although she can be introverted at times, her passion for her future career and the practice she’s been afforded during her nursing education have helped her step out of her shell.
After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Asamoah plans initially to go back to her hometown to work. After getting some experience, she is considering travel nursing to explore different parts of the world. She is also interested in pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
“With nursing, there are so many different paths you can take – pediatrics, oncology, cardiac,” she said. “You will always need nurses wherever you go, no matter the country, state or city, so having that job security is nice.”
Through her clinical experiences and volunteering, she said she has been able to see multiple units across the hospital, as well opportunities outside the hospital setting, such as outpatient clinics, school-based nursing and home health.
Asamoah was drawn to the WVU School of Nursing because of the affordability of tuition, the proximity to home, the reputation of the nursing program, and Morgantown itself. When she’s not busy in class or clinicals, Asamoah enjoys reading, working out, watching movies, and hanging out with her friends and her boyfriend.
She encourages other nursing students to make sure to take time for themselves and try not to stress too much if they have a bad day.
“Take a deep breath,” she said. “Even if you don’t get the best grade on a test, it’s going to be OK.”
Having a strong support system is especially important, too.
“I draw inspiration from my mom,” Asamoah said. “I call her when I’m stressed or when I get a good grade. In and outside of nursing, she’s someone I can rely on for emotional support. She tells me I’m strong and I can do it.”
Although her undergraduate nursing experience is winding down, she is grateful for all the Morgantown memories she has made since Fall 2020.
“I’ve grown so much as a person and I’ve learned so much,” she said. “I’ve had so many different experiences. During my senior year, I’m taking it all in and getting ready to open the next chapter.”
-WVU-
CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu