USF Nursing student, A’ja Chamberlain, nominated for USF Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Award

University of South Florida Collge of Nursing student, A’ja Chamberlain, received the nomination for the USF Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Award. Chamberlain, who is graduating with honors in May, 2012, was nominated to receive the award for demonstrating exceptional achievement in leadership, community service, work experience, and school spirit.

“This nomination provided me with the opportunity to represent an outstanding student body and university consisting of more than 40,000 students working diligently to create a better future for themselves and others,” Chamberlain said. “As alumni, it will always be an honor to uphold the values of USF and believe in the truth, wisdom, opportunity, and challenge this university was founded on. It is an honor to be recognized to the extent that I was, and even more importantly to have been provided the opportunities which allowed me to compete for such a prestigious award and contribute to the person I will be when I leave USF.”

Gail Schinka, RN, MS, Instructor at USF College of Nursing and Chamberlain’s primary nursing faculty members, said Chamberlain has been a well-respected student with an outstanding and consistent record of academic achievements. She also excelled as Veteran’s Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) student nurse tech at the Tampa James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital where she worked more than 700 hours. While there, her clinical efforts focused on VA spinal cord injury and cardiology units.

“She was the picture of clinical excellence, receiving outstanding evaluations and reviews,” Schinka said. “During the residency, she continued to manage fulltime coursework in the College of Nursing and attained several advanced certifications, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).”

VALOR residency is an elite program for outstanding nursing students to work in the hospital during their senior year. Selections are made by competitive interview and transcript review. Chamberlain was selected as 1 of only 6 students for this highly esteemed residency.

Chamberlain also volunteers for the Tampa Bay Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters where she has served as a mentor for a 10-year-old female elementary student for three consecutive years. As a Big Sister, Chamberlain encourages a strong work ethic, positive attitude, community service, involvement, and the importance of receiving an education. Big Brothers and Big Sisters is a non-profit organization, which, through one-on-one relationships, helps children facing adversities realize their potential and build their future.

“As a Big Sister, I do my best to make a difference in my Little’s life by providing her with friendship, support, and encouragement that I was lucky enough to receive as I was growing up,” Chamberlain said. “We work on homework, read, participate in school events and activities, go to the movies, cook, and volunteer together.”

As a result of her outstanding dedication, commitment and hard work, Chamberlain received the USF College of Nursing Student of the Month Community Service Award in February 2012.

Chamberlain has also been a leader of several organizations in the College of Nursing and USF campus including the USF Nursing’s Student Council Semester V Class, USF Stampede, and the Disaster Relief Committee. She was also the Ambassador for the USF American Red Cross Club.