Maggie Law Will ’15 is on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic as an ER nurse at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Ga. The solidarity she feels with the Rome community reminds her of the support she experienced as a nursing student at Berry.
“Rome has gone above and beyond in supporting us. We’ve been given food and treats daily,” Maggie says. “I’ve been blown away by the community and our administrative support.”
Maggie’s desire to become a nurse stemmed from the memory of her grandmother, who was a school nurse. While considering nursing school options in 2012, she attended an informational meeting on the newly minted program at Berry. Maggie connected with the beautiful campus and the prestige of the curriculum in the nursing major—and knew right away it was the place for her.
As a member of the first class of nursing majors at Berry, Maggie dedicated herself to coursework and clinical hours, clocking in time that would prepare her for the challenges of COVID-19. Faculty mentors in the nursing program reinforced her ability to adapt. “Each professor had different ways of remembering important things and showed us how to do things differently from the bedside. I felt like we got to learn all of everyone’s best attributes and put them together to make the nurse we wanted to be,” Maggie says.
Director and Associate Professor of Nursing Pam Dunagan fondly recalls her time working with Maggie: “She was a delightful student who was motivated to excel in coursework. I remember her smile and compassion for others while she was a student at Berry.”
Maggie’s career was shaped by the clinicals at local hospitals that she completed as an undergrad. “Once I had clinical days in Redmond’s ER, I was hooked and knew it was where I wanted to work,” Maggie recalls.
A two-week study abroad experience in Costa Rica further honed her nursing skills, allowing her to work with an underserved population. “I definitely think it helped broaden my eyes to be a better ER nurse,” Maggie says. “Not everyone is fortunate to have good health care access.”
After graduation, Maggie landed her dream job at Redmond ER and hasn’t looked back. She went on to get her master’s degree from the University of South Alabama, becoming a nurse practitioner. This allowed her to take on extra work at Redmond Urgent Care.
Maggie says Berry was a driving force that pushed to become a better person and gave her lifelong connections: “I keep in touch with two of my best friends who are working through this pandemic. Having others that understand what you’re going through makes the process a little easier.”
She feels confident that the teamwork she experienced at Berry and now at her job in the ER are paving the way to a hopeful tomorrow. “We’re all in this together,” Maggie says, “and all we have is each other. We can do this!”
