Booneville campus graduate works as nurse for COVID-19 patients and soon will become a teacher
A superhero’s life is never easy, but they become especially busy when the world is chaotic.
Though she doesn’t wear a cape, these statements apply to Stephanie Strickland. By day, she puts on her scrubs to work as a nurse in Tippah County, treating sick patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. By night, she’s been finishing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Mississippi at Booneville, and will graduate May 9.
Since the county’s first positive COVID-19 test, which came in March, the Tippah County Hospital has been busy, said Strickland, who has been a nurse for eight years and works at the Ripley medical center. She still goes forward with a steely determination to help others.
“It’s been crazy since then,” Strickland said. “Everything changes from day to day. At the beginning, we didn’t really know what we were dealing with and what all we would need, but so far, we’re doing well. The communities we serve have been awesome, even though they’ve been hard hit.”
She had been doing some student teaching, but once the pandemic hit, Strickland – ever the selfless helper of others – shifted her focus from teaching to taking on extra hospital shifts. Strickland enjoys working with what she says is a dedicated, fearless team of medical professionals.
“We’re all in,” Strickland said. “We couldn’t do without our team: doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist, paramedics, EMTs and everyone else.
“It’s just been great to see how they care for the sicker ones, and we’ve had some very sick ones. Nobody hesitates to go in those rooms. We go right in and take care of them.”
UM leaders continue to evaluate plans to hold an in-person Commencement ceremony at a later date, but the university will honor its graduates in a live, virtual celebratory event beginning at noon May 9. Since the in-person ceremony is postponed, Strickland said she isn’t exactly sure what she will do to celebrate earning her degree.
“I will probably be working,” Strickland said. “If not, we may grill out.”
The mom lives in Iuka with her two children: a daughter, Cadence, who is 14, and a son, Cullan, 11. She takes extra steps to keep them safe, including changing from her daytime hero’s uniform before coming home to them.
“They really don’t say much about it, but I know they worry about me going to work and getting sick,” Strickland said. “I always get out of my scrubs before getting home; that way, I won’t bring it home to them.”
The hospital and its staff have taken extra steps to ensure the safety of its patients, doctors and nurses, and Strickland is vigilant about following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mississippi Department of Health to prevent the spread of the virus.
Her experience in the hospital has made her realize how the world is interconnected on so many levels, and with this in mind, she said it’s very important for everyone to do to their part to battle the pandemic.
“I just want people to know we are here for them, but kindly heed the warnings and do your best to stay home,” Strickland said. “My main advice would be that if you feel any symptom, but it’s mild, you need to stay home.
“Don’t get out and go to the store. Stay home. That’s the best thing you can do for everyone.”
Though Strickland plans to begin teaching full time, she doesn’t plan to give up nursing and will continue working shifts at the hospital on weekends and other hours part time, she said.
The Booneville regional campus has served students in northeast Mississippi for many years. It provides a convenient location for students pursuing degrees in education, criminal justice, business, accountancy or multidisciplinary studies.
Students can balance the pursuit of a degree with work and family commitments by taking courses in person, online or via distance learning. The campus is a great option for any student wishing to earn a world-class degree in a smaller, student-centered environment.
After earning a nursing degree from Northeast Community College, Strickland began working in critical care. After deciding that she wants to teach, Strickland sought the career change with some of the same principles that made her want to be a nurse. She likes helping people. It’s in her DNA.
She opted for an elementary education degree from Ole Miss, and the Booneville campus was perfect for her.
“The convenience is great,” Strickland said. “We have night classes, and for someone with two kids and working, that helps a lot. It’s been a great experience of not having to drive to the Oxford campus for class, which would take me a little over two hours.”
Strickland has made many friends and positively affected those around her, said Kim Gray, the campus’ coordinator of student services. Strickland is one of the hardest working students there, Gray said.
Gray was at first surprised when the nurse began the admissions process and said she wanted a career change. But before long, Gray understood it was because Strickland wanted a new way to help others.
“She’s always been laser-focused on her work, but her compassionate nature shines through when it comes to her classmates and the Ole Miss Booneville staff,” Gray said.
Gray said she’ll always remember the nurse rescuing a fellow student who began suffering from low blood sugar caused by Type 1 diabetes during a class they had together.
“Stephanie sprang into action, made sure he ate something and stayed with him when he left class to make sure that he was OK,” Gray said. “It didn’t surprise me at all that she would be helping patients during the COVID-19 crisis. That’s just what Stephanie does.”
The student, Clint Johnson, a senior elementary education major from Burnsville, said he’s forever indebted to Strickland, who encourages him to watch his condition closely. His health has improved thanks to her encouragement.
“Stephanie is a great nurse and an even better friend,” Johnson said. “Whenever my sugar would get messed up in class, Stephanie was the one who always made sure I was OK. She stayed on top of me to take care of myself. I’m glad I had her help along the way!”
Tamulia Salters, associate director of admissions and outreach for the Booneville campus, said she sees Strickland’s happiness with her new chosen career and her excitement about her future. She also said Strickland brightens the office when she comes in because she is so friendly and positive.
“Oftentimes, the students will leave between classes to grab dinner, and she always stops by the office to see if we need anything,” Salters said. “It’s like she just doesn’t want to leave anyone out.”
Salters said both nursing and education will benefit from having someone of Strickland’s caliber in the fields.
“I’d love for her to either teach my children or take care of myself or a loved one in the hospital,” Salters said. “The COVID-19 victims are lucky to have such an honest, hard-working and kind person taking care of them.
“I’m honored to know someone so selfless during this tough time and I’m equally as proud to call her a member of the UM-Booneville family!”
By Michael Newsom/University Marketing & Communications
