PASSION IN NURSING: FORMING LIFE FOUNDATIONS

PASSION IN NURSING
FORMING LIFE FOUNDATIONS: SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

by Vickie Jenkins – Writer/Photographer

Walking into one of the offices at Southern Nazarene University there is a friendly individual waiting for me. She is Angela Ramey, PHD, RN, and Assistant Professor, who also goes by the name, Angie to her friends, but most of all, Dr. Ramey, as she is called by her students.
Angela grew up in Mustang, Oklahoma. She has been a nurse since 1985, working in several hospitals over the years. Her first experience as a nurse was at University Hospital, (now known as OU Children’s Hospital) along with working at Deaconess in the birth center for 14 years. At one point, she decided to go back to school. She received her Master’s degree from OU in 2016. “It’s been a long journey but I am happy where I am today and I love teaching the students,” she commented. “Currently, I am teaching a combination of Maternity Nursing and Pediatric Nursing. This semester, I have about 34 students in my class. They are all eager to learn and I see compassion and concern in all of them. I have a good feeling about these students,” she said with a smile.
What advice would you give to someone going into the medical field? “I would tell them that school is very challenging but also, tell them to stick with it, study hard and absorb all the information you can and when you get out in the field, you will be able to use that information. You will know how to care for a patient. Sometimes, you might feel like it is too much to learn but in the long run, there is a reason for it all,” she replied. “All of your hard work will pay off and it will all be worth it,” she added.
Angela’s favorite part of her job is spending time with the students. “The students present a wide array of personalities. Most students here have great success,” Angela commented.
What is your biggest challenge about your job? “I think the biggest challenge is the hours it takes to perform the job at hand. The schedule is very challenging and there are a lot of hours to complete all the tasks, but somehow, it always works out,” she said.
Asking Angela to describe herself, she replied, “I’m a person that is very particular in the way things are done. I have a value system that I developed over the years. What is my value system? My system is putting God first, family second and other activities third. It’s a great system. I love being with my family; husband, two daughters and four grandchildren. Sometimes we get to travel, going on trips together. I have enjoyed my years learning and I feel blessed to have been able to attend the schools that I have, receiving the education and I definitely like passing that information to my students. I am blessed in so many ways,” she replied.
Angela is a strong leader when it comes to teaching. “I am not a very strong leader when it comes to my personality but when it concerns the students, I am definitely a leader. I have to take hold of the reins and teach the students the best way that I am able,” Angela said.
What motivates you to teach? “Most of my motivation comes from God. I feel like my being a nurse is a calling from God and I am serving Him in what I do,” Angela stated.
When Angela was attending school, during her PHD program, she had two notable mentors. “These two people were definitely guiding me the whole time, “she said. “My primary mentor is Carol Rogers, PHD, RN, Assisted Director of Geriatric Training Programs, Assisted Professor, at OU and secondary, Karen Rose, PHD, RN, FGSA, FAAN McMahan-McKinley, and Professor of Gerontology in Knoxville, Tennessee. They both mean so much to me,” she stated.
Angela is happily married and will be celebrating her 40th anniversary very soon in 2019. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and four grandchildren, Tucker 12, Paisley 11, Hadley 7, Hutson 6 and not to forget one more grandchild on the way. She enjoys traveling, listening to music; country, rock and roll, and gospel choirs. She also likes playing classical music on the piano. Angela possesses many talents.
Angela lives her life by the Bible. Other words that inspire her come from her parents, her husband, her pastors and those that she looks up to in her profession.