Allie Anders, current BSN-DNP student, MSU BSN alumni class of 2011. Currently works in the COVID Unit at Kansas City VA Medical Center.
“Times sure are different! I am currently a second-year BSN-DNP student with MSU. I live in Kansas City and travel back and forth for school. The travel seems like a tedious thing to most people, but for me, it’s just part of my normal routine. I chose MSU because of its program and can’t imagine furthering my education with any other program. I love my peers and my professors, they have all been so supportive throughout these unprecedented times.
Besides converting to an online version of schooling and maintaining the stay-at-home orders, home life isn’t much different. The best part is that I have extra time for puppy snuggles!”
Allie has close ties to Missouri State and the nursing program as her sisters and husband have all attended.
Spencer Anders, Allie’s husband, is a front line worker at St. Lukes in the ER. He is a Missouri State BSN alumni, class of 2013.
Gabbe (Altenhofen) Reid, Allie’s sister, works with Allie in the COVID Unit at KCVA. Gabbe is an MSU BSN alumni, class of 2013.
Maddy Altenhofen, Allie’s sister is currently a first-year BSN student at MSU.
Celeste Andrews, DNP student, Registered Nurse at Cox South.
“My son and I have found a new groove. He’s
actually doing better at “school” with the one on one attention. Less tears and more giggles! We are very fortunate to have good internet access and technology at home. This extra time together has actually been a blessing!
My own schoolwork has taken a back burner- but I’m grateful for my professors being so understanding. I’m in my second year as a DNP student and will hopefully still graduate on time in 2021. We are meeting weekly for “class” via zoom- but the clinical component to our learning process is on hold.
I’m also still working full time as a nurse at Cox South. I work weekend option in same-day surgery. Elective surgeries were placed on hold affecting many in my department- however on weekends we still see a significant number of emergency procedures. I’m very thankful for our CEO, Steve Edwards. He has advocated for PPE and employee safety- allowing those of us “upfront” to get the tools we need to stay safe.”
Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, Celeste always left her shoes in the garage, changed her scrubs immediately – these routines haven’t changed. She is still very cautious about practicing proper hand hygiene and not touching her face.
Celeste hopes everyone else is also “weathering this storm with grace.”
Breanna Forni, current BSN student, class of fall 2021.
“Though coronavirus has presented us with challenges and I feel for people who are sick or have lost jobs, the experience has been really beneficial for my family and me.
We own a sheep farm about 1-hr outside Springfield, so when school is in session I commute an hour in and an hour out.
Sheltering in place has allowed me to spend a lot more time on my farm and with my kids. I love farming and I love building, creating, and fixing things. So I’ve tried to stay positive about the shutdown and have viewed it as an opportunity to do a lot of things that I normally don’t have time for.
I’ve been teaching my 3-year-old how to cook and clean, I refinished our kitchen table and fixed all my broken chairs, my kids and I cleaned up a spring on our property (I have them convinced it’s where the unicorns come to drink), and I’ve spent a lot of time in the field chillin’ with the sheep.
I know things will eventually go back to “normal” but I hope this experience teaches people that perhaps our “normal” isn’t the way it has to be. Taking just a short break from “normal” has already done wonders for air & water pollution as well as global climate change. We don’t need to endlessly spend money, drive cars, and eat out to have a good life.”
Breanna hopes we can all “realize how much power we do indeed possess to lead more intentional lives to make both our lifestyle and the earth safer and healthier for the next generation.”
Josh Lawler, current DNP student.
Josh is missing his fellow bears and can’t wait to see them all in person.
“I miss minute social interaction with my peers at the schoolhouse. All my current workload is through the computer, and I miss freely speaking with my peers, instructors and preceptors face to face, especially about this entire event.”
Josh shared a photo of his wife leaving the grocery store. Her accessories are appropriate for the current time and place. His wife was also a Missouri State student in 2006.
Stephanie Wells, current DNP student, working on assignment in New York City, Queens.
Stephanie is currently working as a nurse at NewYork Presbyterian Queens Hospital.
“While I was hired as an ER nurse, I am currently being sent all over the hospital and have spent most of my time in various ICU settings.”
Stephanie enjoys viewing the Manhattan skyline from the 7th floor of the hospital.
Missouri State School of Nursing is proud of all our students out there working and those finishing their studies at home. We can see the commitment and the passion to grow and help others.
Counting the days until we will all be together again… Go Bears!
Want to help Special Collections & Archives at Missouri State University document the COVID-19 pandemic?
Please use this form to submit your thoughts and experiences to the University Archives, or contact us at Archives@MissouriState.edu.