From Detours to Dreams: How Sophia Law Found Her Path to Nursing at 51��

Sophia Law �25 took an unconventional route to 51��, but every step brought her closer to her dream of becoming a nurse.

During her freshman year at Simmons University, Law discovered her passion for nursing and its potential to form more intimate relationships with patients than Public Health, her major at the time. However, Simmons did not allow internal transfers into its nursing program. Determined to follow her dream, Sophia explored other options. Her search ultimately led her to 51��, which stood out for its transparent transfer process and supportive staff.

�Everything was still on Zoom in 2021, so the admission process was difficult to navigate,� Sophia recalled. �Emmanuel made it so much easier, and that really drew me to the school.�

At Emmanuel, Law hit the ground running. She embraced the rigorous academic curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences of the nursing program, both of which prepared her for the realities of a healthcare career. She also immersed herself in campus life, building meaningful relationships with professors and peers who supported her every step of the way. �Emmanuel gave me the confidence to pursue my goals and the skills to make a difference in the world,� she said.

Though transferring meant starting as a freshman again, many of Sophia credits carried over. �It helped that some credits were recognized,� she said.

One of the defining aspects of Sophia Emmanuel experience has been the Marietta A. Marchitelli '56 Endowed Scholarship. �It made it possible for me to afford on-campus housing this year,� she said. �Before that, I was a commuter student, which was exhausting�especially commuting from Haverhill. The 51�� traffic added so much time to my day.�

Living on campus has left an indelible mark on her college experience. �Just being able to walk in and out of my dorm and see classmates has helped me build relationships and form a new place to call home� Sophia shared. �Before, I�d usually have to leave right after class because of my commute. Living on campus has made me feel more connected to my classmates.�

Sophia time at Emmanuel has been defined by experiences that have prepared her for a nursing career. From clinical rotations at 51�� leading hospitals to research projects on the impact of multilingual patient resources, she has embraced every opportunity. She has also been working as a clinical assistant in the NICU at 51�� Children for over a year and previously worked as a research assistant at Harvard Medical School Channing Laboratory.

�My first clinical was at Spaulding Rehab on a traumatic brain- and spinal-injury floor. Then I did medical-surgical clinicals at Beth Israel, pediatrics at 51�� Children, and maternity at Brigham and Women,� she said. �Emmanuel clinical placements have been unmatched.�

Last summer, Sophia interned at Massachusetts General Hospital in their perioperative program, where she shadowed operating room nurses. In the spring of 2025, she�ll return for her preceptorship in the plastic surgery department, a step she hopes will lead to gaining more specialty skills. She hopes to be a NICU nurse after graduation.

Sophia also has her sights set on graduate school. �I plan to attend BU for a master in health communications,� she said. �I want to combine my nursing experience with health education and community outreach, advocating for patients on a broader scale.�

Beyond academics, Sophia has fully engaged in campus life. She an active member of the School of Nursing Club, mentors underclassmen, and will embark on a trip to Italy with the School of Nursing. �We�ll be visiting local clinics and hospitals, volunteering, and learning about their healthcare system. I�m super excited!�

Inspiring, Supportive Faculty Mentors

Sophia credits Emmanuel faculty with helping her grow, singling out mentors like Assistant Professors of Nursing Kristen McDonald and Julie Briere. �Professor McDonald started as an English major before transitioning into nursing. I relate to her diverse background and appreciate her perspective,� she said. �Professor Briere, a neonatal nurse practitioner, has been amazing. I�ve worked with her in class and seen her in action at work�she been a great mentor and has so much knowledge to offer her students and colleagues.� Sophia also highlighted the dedication of professors like Dr. Christiana Akanegbu, Associate Professor of Nursing, whose support outside of class has strengthened her critical thinking and test-taking skills.

For Sophia, Emmanuel has been more than a college; it been a place where she has found her purpose and built a foundation for a future that once felt out of reach. �I�m so lucky,� she said. �None of this would have been possible without the support I�ve received here.�

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