Recent graduate Abigail Kimbrough (B.S.N. ’25) of Roanoke, Texas, will begin working at the top-ranked hospital in the nation, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, as a part of the nurse residency program (NRP) in the adult oncology unit at the end of August. She will have the opportunity to be a part of the distinguished legacy of healing and research that Mayo Clinic houses, working with patients with sickle cell disease and those undergoing chemotherapy and clinical trials.
The NRP provides a framework for a successful transition to a professional nursing career by promoting educational and personal advancement. The curriculum consists of online learning modules, activities, interactive discussion boards and live seminars that connect with local and system wide content experts.
Kimbrough initially applied for the program to simply learn from the interview process, but her experience with interviewing through The University of Tulsa helped her excel. She served as peer mentor, university ambassador and nursing ambassador.
“My advice for students is to not be afraid to put yourself out there,” she said. “I thought the Mayo was out of my reach, but my education and experience prepared me perfectly for the interview process!”
Kimbrough specifically thanked faculty members Angela Dotson and Cherlynn Hill in the School of Nursing for helping her along the way. “The University of Tulsa’s professors are so good about supporting students,” she said.
Kimbrough also had experience in pediatric oncology as a nurse extern at the Saint Francis Health System on her resume. She was able to work with experienced nurses and apply her nursing judgment to patient care.
Once she establishes her career, Kimbrough plans to work on a master’s in nursing education to help train future nurses.