My name is Rayna Patel, and I am finishing up my fourth semester in the Johns Hopkins Masters Entry into Nursing Program.
I still remember exactly what it felt like when I first started this program. Excitement, nerves, maybe
even overwhelmed, but most of all I remember feeling extremely grateful to have made it here. So, let me start by saying congratulations! You’ve made it to Johns Hopkins Nursing, the top program in the country, and you should be incredibly proud of yourselves. If you didn’t consider yourself a morning person, congratulations you now ARE. Also, if you didn’t consider yourself a night person, congratulations you now ARE. You’re just awake every moment…I’m joking I get 8 hours a night (sometimes).
My Journey into Nursing
Before I found my way to nursing, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Health in Southern California. At the time, I was still figuring out my career path. Nursing was always in the back of my mind and heart, but I needed to be sure it was my choice, not just the plan my parents had for me. So, I explored many different fields to see what felt right. As I tried out different things, I realized that I kept coming back to my STEM courses. They challenged me, and I loved every second of it. Eventually, I completed an internship at a local Magnet hospital in SoCal, which became a turning point for me. That experience showed me what nursing was all about—balancing clinical expertise with compassion, advocating for patients, and being a steady presence in moments of uncertainty. I knew then that nursing was exactly where I am meant to be.
From that point on, I gave everything I had to my prerequisites, determined to build a strong, competitive application. But I’ll be honest, there were times when I feared I might fall short of reaching my goals. But I kept going, step by step, and in the end, I got into my dream program, right here at Johns Hopkins.
And now, you have made it, too. Whether your path was smooth or filled with obstacles, you worked hard to get here. Today is your “I made it” moment, and you’re about to embark on a journey that will challenge you in the best ways possible.
Why I Chose Nursing and Hopkins
For me, nursing isn’t just a profession—it’s a commitment to humanity. It’s about being present when people are at their most vulnerable, offering care that is rooted not just in science, but in compassion. Nurses are advocates, educators, and guides, helping patients navigate uncertainty while empowering them to find strength. The beauty of nursing is that it challenges you to be both clinically excellent and deeply empathetic, meeting patients not just where they are physically but emotionally, too. That’s the kind of nurse I aspire to be—a nurse who makes a difference not only through knowledge but through connection. Hopkins embodies everything I value: a relentless pursuit of innovation, a deep commitment to patient safety, and a focus on training leaders in healthcare. From day one, it was clear that this program doesn’t just prepare us to work at the bedside, it prepares us to lead with intention, think critically, and create lasting change in the healthcare system.
One of the most transformative parts of my experience has been participating in the Fuld Fellows Research Program, a two-semester leadership initiative dedicated to improving patient safety and quality care. As a Fuld Fellow, I had the privilege of working alongside the interdisciplinary team called Johns Hopkins Community Physicians. It helped me to identify gaps in care, develop solutions, and implement evidence-based practices into nursing infrastructure. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding, and an opportunity to see firsthand how clinical knowledge, leadership, and teamwork come together to solve real-world healthcare problems.
Experiences So Far in the Program
Now that I’m in my fourth semester, I can tell you this: the journey isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it. Each semester has stretched me in ways I didn’t think were possible. From overwhelming 12-hour clinical shifts, and exams seeming unattainable, the growing pains that came from those challenges are incredible and will make me that much better of a nurse.
This journey overall has been so rewarding, and my efforts were all worth it when I was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau National Honors Society of Nursing. Additionally, I never thought I would have the amazing honor of meeting US Senator Bernie Sanders, who came to our campus to visit our Simulation center and learn about the way our curriculum is run.
One of the best parts of this program is the support system you’ll build. Your classmates will become your closest friends and your biggest cheerleaders. You’ll lean on each other during late-night study sessions and long clinical days. Together, you’ll celebrate small wins, whether that’s getting signed off your skills check, or completing your first foley insertion, and the big wins like passing your first pathophysiology exam or getting to see a beating heart in your OR rotation.
The clinical rotations are where I’ve learned the most. The clinicals I have done thus far are two MedSurges, Ortho/Spinal/Trauma Surgery, Psychiatric ED/Schizophrenia, Labor and Delivery, and Pediatric Oncology. They may feel intimidating at first, but they are where everything starts to make sense, and you get to apply theory to practice. You’ll quickly realize that it’s okay not to know everything right away, that’s why you’re here. Each unit equips you with unique and different skills. Nursing is about progress. Your instructors and preceptors are here to guide you, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Advice for the Journey Ahead
As you begin your time at Hopkins, I want to leave you with some advice that I’ve picked up along the way:
It is never that deep. If your mental health or personal life is in need of your attention, take the time to be there for yourself.
Lean into your community: especially if you are not local to Baltimore, give your all into your surroundings here- the neighbors you will serve in this city are very gracious and kindhearted people.
Take care of yourself: This program moves faster than you can blink, and it is easy to burn out if you do not make time for yourself. Pick up new hobbies, move your body, and do things that bring you joy.
Everyone is here for you: Create a lasting impression with your instructors and professors, you might come across a field of nursing you love that you never considered before.
We all come from different backgrounds here: give yourself grace when learning the ropes of nursing school.
Looking Ahead
As I look toward my future in nursing, I feel excited and hopeful. I have narrowed my choices down to two fields of nursing. I’m interested in continuing my work in either Women’s Health, specifically Labor and Delivery or Gynecology Oncology, or Pediatrics, whether ICU or Oncology. In both of these fields, I can combine my clinical skills with advocacy for patients. I loved my L&D rotation which involved caring for these patients during some of the most pivotal and vulnerable moments of their lives. There are such
high highs and low lows in L&D, but there is so much beauty in getting to be a part of someone’s journey.
I am currently finishing up my rotation on Pediatric Oncology across the street at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Working with such a vulnerable population has been both humbling and inspiring. These children are tiny but mighty, and remind me of the power of resiliency from both them and their families during the most challenging times of their life. I know that nursing will always offer opportunities to grow, to lead, and to make a difference and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me.
For all of you just starting out, know that the future is wide open. Nursing offers so many paths, whether you’re passionate about bedside care, leadership, research, or public health. You don’t have to know exactly where you want to end up right now. Just focus on being present, learning all you can, and making the most of each experience.
If you are questioning if you belong here, Hopkins does not make mistakes. They intentionally brought you here because you are deserving. You are here because you’ve earned it, and you are exactly where you need to be. This journey will challenge you, but it will also shape you into the kind of nurse this world needs. There will be hard days, but there will also be incredible moments of joy, connection, and fulfillment. You are not alone in this—you have each other, your instructors, and all of us who came before you cheering you on. Put your absolute best foot forward starting today, because you are in for a ride. I know you’re going to do amazing things, and I can’t wait to see the kind of nurses you become. Welcome to the Johns Hopkins Nursing family, and best of luck on your journey!
Watch Rayna’s Full Speech
Accepted Students Day Photos
Read More:
- From the Student Speaker: MSN (Entry Into Nursing) Open House
- Admissions Cycle Overview: What to Expect When You are Applying
- A MSN (Entry Into Nursing) Student’s Journey Through the Program: Q&A With Claire Grubb
About the Author:
Rayna Patel is a fourth semester MSN (Entry Into Nursing) student at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Originally from Southern California, Rayna is taking advantage of the many opportunities JHSON has to offer, and balances clinical expertise with compassion, advocates for patients, and is a steady presence in moments of uncertainty.
