Dennis came to Mississippi University for Women to be a part of the nationally ranked BSN nursing program and the inaugural Owls women’s soccer team. For the high school and community college athlete, the timing could not have been better. However, entering the nursing program as a student athlete would be a new ball game.
For her nursing and soccer are not separate. They are very similar.
“Soccer is a team sport, obviously. And so I rely on my teammates a lot to play the game to the best of their ability. With nursing, it's teamwork,” described Dennis. “Everywhere in my life, I trust people, they trust me. I definitely needed that and must have that where I work.”
For Dennis, nursing is a career of calling. A calling to be patient, love people and understand others. Her ultimate career goal is to work as a travel nurse. While not traveling, she hopes to work in missions either national and/or internationally.
Dennis said, “I believe God called me to missions a long time of time. I also believe He put nursing and missions together. I hope to one-day to work as a travel nurse and participate in medical mission trips nationally or internationally. That is the whole reason I chose to be a nurse. You get to love and care for people physically, mentally and spiritually.”
During the summer of 2019, Dennis joined faculty member Dr. Sally Pearson, associate professor of graduate nursing, and other students for a two-week medical mission trip to Kenya. During that time, they worked with Camp Brethren Ministries through David’s Hope and spent several days in a free medical clinic and the rest of our time at the school and orphanage offering physicals to all the children.
Events like the nursing department’s House of Horrors and the first USCAA Tournament appearance for the Owls women's soccer team combined with the team’s best record in school history brought excitement and memory to her college career. There was also a season of growth. During Dennis’ first year on campus head women’s soccer coach Gray Massey passed way.
“One thing that Coach Gray instilled in us is family. Coach Gray always put school first and supported us in every aspect of our lives. His death was devastating. As a team, we dedicated this season to Coach Gray and went farther than any of us expected. We simply wanted to continue what he started at The W ‘For Gray,’” said Dennis.
Currently, Dennis has just begun her career at the Critical Care Unit at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus.
For The W’s virtual commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9, Dennis, family and friends gathered for a cookout and celebrated her accomplishment.
Credits:
Mississippi University for Women