Get to Know HFC: Dr. Wanda Chukwu, teaching healthcare heroes
Since she was 5 years old, HFC Nursing Program Coordinator Dr. Wanda Chukwu knew she wanted to be a nurse.
“I saw my late aunt work as a licensed practical nurse at Detroit Receiving Hospital. Her uniform was all white, with a matching white nursing cap,” recalled Chukwu, a Detroit native who lives in Oakland County. “I saw my aunt as a healthcare hero, possessing a gentle and kind demeanor that inspired me to dream of one day becoming a nurse also.”
While it took a lot of hard work, Chukwu achieved this dream. She has been a nurse for 32 years. Throughout her career, Chukwu has worked in acute care settings, home care, hospice, and education. Since 2006, Chukwu has taught nursing at two other community colleges prior to joining the HFC nursing faculty. Chukwu has been a member of the faculty of HFC’s renowned nursing program since 2015.
“Five years after high school, I entered a nursing program,” said Chukwu. “I was a first-generation college student. I knew I could do the work but needed additional support. I found that many students are much like me: They are capable but need encouragement and support to help them transition to the next phase.”
Chukwu graduated from Northeastern High School in Detroit when she was 16. After graduation, she attended a trade school called Cambridge Business School and earned a certificate in medical transcription within a year. Eventually, Chukwu earned her associate degree in nursing from what is now Minneapolis Community and Technology College. She earned both her bachelor’s and master's degrees in organizational management from Spring Arbor University. She earned her doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN.
In addition to her role with the HFC nursing program, Chukwu served on the team that created the current HFC Strategic Plan in Fall 2022.
Active in the American Nurses Association
Chukwu is an active member of the Michigan chapter of the American Nurses Association Michigan (ANA). She is currently an active member of the Health Policy Committee with her term ending at the end of 2023.
“I love policies that can influence practice. As a professional nurse, it is important to remain informed, involved, and educated concerning policies that have an impact on your practice. My commitment to my profession has also provided me with an opportunity to gain professional skills,” she said. “Joining the ANA has also inspired me to remain committed to becoming an ambassador for my profession. It is imperative that I continue to explore opportunities to remain updated and engaged. The collaboration on projects has been the most rewarding. Each project I have worked on, I have learned so much from the collaboration. I truly enjoy working with other nurses from other local colleges and universities. I am committed to continually working with the ANA-Michigan to help me learn more on how to share the knowledge with my peers, colleagues, and community.”
Chukwu is also the marketing chair for the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses-Detroit. MMPN-Detroit is the oldest known African-American nursing organization in the United States. There is another active chapter is in Seattle, WA.
A highlight of her career
One of the highlights of her career was moderating an online discussion for the MMPN-Detroit monthly meeting in August 2021. ANA President Dr. Ernest J. Grant was the keynote speaker.
An internationally recognized burn care and fire safety expert, Dr. Grant is the first African-American man to be elected to the presidency of the ANA. Additionally, he is a member of the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing.
“Dr. Grant is a phenomenal leader because of his commitment to the nursing profession. Dr. Grant speaks compassionately about the nursing profession and displays integrity when discussing the future of nursing. His ability to be transparent concerning the challenges the profession is currently facing makes him even more likable,” praised Chukwu.
Many MMPN-Detroit members were present at this event to hear Grant speak, as were representatives from several other local and national African-American nursing organizations. Chukwu pointed out that several MMPN-Detroit members are HFC alumni who are past recipients of the MMPN-Detroit Nursing Student Scholarship. (See all current nursing scholarships at HFC here).
“Dr. Grant was gracious during the entire conversation,” she explained. “He is committed to advancing the profession of nursing through education, nursing leadership, mentorship, and commitment to promoting wellness for all nurses.”
Words of inspiration for students
Grant spoke about the future of nursing and how the national nursing shortages has been challenging across the nation. He pointed out that any nurses have decided to retire or leave the profession altogether.
Chukwu reached out to Grant at the beginning of the Winter 2022 Semester for words of encouragement she can pass on to her nursing students at HFC.
"You are entering the best and most trusted profession known to mankind. You are entering at a time that is extremely challenging, but transformational for the profession,” said Grant. “I would say to you as students and future leaders of the profession that you soak up as much information that you can... reflect on your day and ask yourself, ‘What did I learn today, and how can I use that to make me a better nurse, a better person, and a better member of my community and to my fellow man?’
“We must all challenge ourselves to embrace innovation and technology to achieve better outcomes and professional autonomy. The very first thing you should do after you have received word that you have passed the NCLEX – and you will! – is that you immediately join your state nursing association and the ANA and your specialty area of practice association. It is through professional nursing membership that you are truly able to be the change agents for the profession!”
Chukwu shares Grant’s words of wisdom with her students, who are the future of the profession -- future healthcare heroes.
“I love HFC. I feel that many of my students remind me of myself,” she said. “I am now seeing some of the students who were in my class at HFC in the field working as registered nurses.”