Featuring Annika Kuehn of Hartington, Neb., who is in the Pre-Nursing program at Wayne State.
With a passion for science, the medical field, and helping people, Wayne State’s Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) was the obvious educational choice for Annika Kuehn of Hartington, Neb. Kuehn, a sophomore in the Pre-Nursing program, is this week’s focus of the Student Spotlight Series.
“I always knew I wanted to work in the medical field, and I chose nursing because I have always had the call to help people in a meaningful and hands-on way,” said Kuehn. “Nursing allows me to make personal connections and have empathy for the people I care for. I have always admired healthcare workers who treat their patients with empathy and compassion without even knowing the person. Nurses play a unique role in patient care by advocating, educating, and emotionally supporting people. That is what drew me to nursing because I want to be that person. My mom has worked in the medical field for more than 30 years, and I have witnessed her dedication to her career my entire life. She has truly thrown herself into her career by caring for each patient she sees.”
Kuehn admits Wayne State was on her radar for a long time.
“Wayne State was one of my top colleges from the very beginning,” said Kuehn. “I visited for my high school junior year for a career day and enjoyed the environment and community it had to offer. I was told by many people that these classes will prepare me greatly for UNMC, ensuring understanding and knowledge for my future classes. Looking back, Wayne State has truly over-prepared me for the next chapter of my life. I had friends from high school who spoke very highly of RHOP and Wayne State, and that influenced my decision as well.”
“The Wayne State professors have gone above and beyond to help me understand and learn daily,” continued Kuehn. “I have always felt like they care about our education and the future of the sciences and success. The smaller class sizes have allowed me to learn alongside my professors and classmates. The resources available such as peer tutoring, professors’ office hours, and recitation have allowed me to navigate difficult courses with ease. I have been offered opportunities that allow for learning and social growth. There has never been a day that I did not have the opportunity to meet new people and grow academically.”
Rural communities make up a majority of Nebraska, and they are the lifeblood of the state and deserve quality medical care. Established and successful for more than 25 years, RHOP is a special cooperative program between Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) to meet that need. As citizens of rural Nebraska, students have experienced the rural lifestyle and know the unique needs of their communities.
Upon satisfactory completion of the two-year undergraduate program at Wayne State, RHOP nursing students gain acceptance into UNMC’s College of Nursing program at the Norfolk campus. After successfully completing two years in the Nursing program, students receive a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from UNMC and are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN, the national licensure examination for nursing. The BSN degree is a generalist degree, but with it, students are qualified to enter graduate school to become a nurse educator or nurse practitioner, or to pursue the nursing doctorate.
At Wayne State, Kuehn is active in Wildcat Catholic (Newman Club) and intramurals.
Kuehn will graduate in May 2028 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Norfolk. She intends to work as a registered nurse in Northeast Nebraska and eventually get a master’s degree in nursing from UNMC and work as a family nurse practitioner.
Fun Fact: “I once broke my foot while shopping in Target! I also enjoy reading medical case studies in my free time.”