Adu-Gyamfi was one of a few RIC students who testified before the House and Senate finance committees on the impact of the Hope Scholarship.
“I was born and raised in Providence in a low-middle-class household,” says 23-year-old nursing major Victoria Adu-Gyamfi. “In my family, education has always been a top priority. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a nurse – not just for myself, but to serve my community. That desire to help others has guided me throughout my journey at Rhode Island College.”
However, she faced significant financial challenges in trying to realize that goal. “The cost of tuition, textbooks and daily living expenses placed a heavy burden on me. I worked hard to support myself, not wanting to take on additional financial strain, but at times it was difficult to focus on my studies due to financial stress.”
Receiving RIC’s Hope Scholarship was “life-changing,” she says. The scholarship fully covered her tuition and mandatory fees during her junior and senior years, allowing her to dedicate more time to her coursework and clinical training.
“I no longer had to worry about affording gas to get to class or paying for essential materials. Instead, I could focus on becoming the best nurse I could be,” she says.
Gyamfi is graduating this May with a 3.4 GPA. She was also one of the Hope Scholars called upon to testify before the Rhode Island House and Senate finance committees about the impact of the scholarship.
In addressing the committee members, she said, “The financial relief provided by the Hope Scholarship has helped me stay on track academically and maintain a strong GPA.”
“The scholarship also allowed me to focus on long-term goals,” she said. “It gave me the confidence to consider graduate school, an opportunity I once thought was out of reach.’’
After taking the National Council Licensure Exam, Gyamfi will begin work as a medical-surgical nurse in a unit at Rhode Island Hospital.
“I’m a big advocate for helping patients thrive,” she says. “In my opinion, as nurses, we are overseeing their lives. My duty is to make sure the patient is happy, healthy and as comfortable as possible, especially for those who have language barriers or severe disabilities where they can’t vouch for themselves. That’s when I should step up the most.”
Gyamfi’s journey into nursing began as a student at Classical High School in Providence.
“I completed an internship with Lifespan, where I assisted with patient transport,” she says. “Through that experience, I gained insight into patients’ diagnoses and observed how a healthcare team collaborates – from physicians to social workers. It was fascinating to see how each role contributes to delivering the highest quality of care.”
As a graduate of RIC’s nursing program, Gyamfi says the program has prepared her to hit the ground running.
“It’s a rigorous program,’’ she says. “My advice to anyone entering it is to build a strong support system with study partners, stay connected with your professors and give equal attention to every assignment. It’s easy to focus mainly on exams, but even smaller assignments, though they may account for a small percentage of your grade, can ultimately make or break your success.”
Gyamfi’s nursing professors praised her performance and predicted a successful future.
Assistant Professor of Nursing Karen Wholey commended Gyamfi’s innate empathy during an adult health clinical rotation that Wholey supervised:
“Victoria took amazing care of her assigned patients,” she says. “I know that she will be an outstanding nurse because she truly cares about making a difference. I feel extremely blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing her and can’t wait to see her excel in her nursing career.”
Associate Professor of Nursing and B.S.N. Program Director Lisa Connelly noted her quality of care: “Victoria’s compassion, strength and commitment to providing quality, patient-centered care will serve her well. I anticipate she will grow into a confident and impactful nurse. I also see strong potential for her to take on leadership roles or serve as a mentor to others in the future.”
After a few years of working in the field, Gyamfi says she intends to return to RIC to earn her master’s degree in nurse anesthesia.
“While at Kent Hospital during one of my clinical rotations, I was shadowing a nurse who was preparing anesthesia for a patient prior to a colonoscopy,” she recalls. “Afterward, I told the nurse that I wanted to pursue nurse anesthesia, and I credit her as my inspiration. Her encouragement meant a lot to me and solidified my decision to follow through.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for the education and opportunities I’ve received at Rhode Island College,” Gyamfi says. “The financial support, coupled with the resources and programs on campus, has shaped me into the student and future nurse I am today.”