James Shin

As one of the top nursing schools in the nation, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) offers a didactic curriculum that focuses on utilizing evidence-based practice to drive critical thinking for patients. I wanted to attend the best nursing school so that I can provide the best care for my patients. I was attracted to the USG campus for its convenient location and being centrally located near several medical and pharmaceutical research companies.

I first heard about the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) during my nursing school interview with the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB). I attended a webinar hosted by UMSON and found out that I could obtain the same education and degree as if I were on the main campus in Baltimore. With my work and family obligations, the distance to the main campus would have made it difficult, if not impossible for me to attend nursing school. But the ability to complete my nursing degree at USG allowed me to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to achieve my goal of becoming a critical care nurse.

While in nursing school, I gained so many valuable experiences. One that I am really proud to have worked on was providing nursing treatment and care to patients with diabetes, in order to prevent acute manifestation of hyperglycemia – specifically how the comorbidities associated with diabetes affect the physical health of a patient. I also learned how I can help patients better manage their care. With the help of my professors, we worked on self-care algorithms and self-care technology for patients with the goal of lowering acute exacerbations to reduce emergency department visits.

During my time on the USG campus, I was the president and founding member of the American Association of Male Nurses (AAMN) for the Shady Grove Chapter and was active in the University of Maryland Association of Nursing Students by mentoring new nursing students. 

After graduating in December 2023, I was offered a job at Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center, where I am now working as an Emergency Department Nurse. My goal is to eventually continue my educational journey by completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in adult-gerontological acute care.