Determination. That is how Idowu Oladeji faces all the challenges in her life – and overcomes them. Idowu has always been interested in health care, but opportunities in her native Nigeria were limited.
“I tried to study medicine and nursing, but it just didn’t work out.” So, she took a different path to pursue her lifelong love of science and earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a master’s degree in Epidemiology in Nigeria.
However, it wasn’t until 2017, when she came to the U.S., that her original dream gained momentum. “There were no barriers here and so many things I could do to achieve my aspirations. I knew I wanted to be in the health care world, so I enrolled in an MBA program in health care management.”
She completed the degree, then a one-year Optional Practical Training (OPT), and even enrolled in nursing school, but the role of “mother” soon became her top priority.
“I welcomed my new baby and made the decision to take a pause due to the challenges of caregiving and the COVID-19 pandemic,” shared Idowu, who has three beautiful children.
In the fall of 2022, she started pursuing her nursing dream again at another school before ultimately transferring to Georgian Court University.
“It’s funny, I didn’t even know about GCU. One day I was browsing on the computer and the nursing program popped up,” Idowu explained. “I clicked and discovered it was a Catholic University. I attended Catholic schools all my life, and my Christian Faith is important. GCU offered a small close-knit community which is what I was looking for. I told my husband ‘I think this is my school,’ and applied.”
It was a challenge balancing school work, family life, and the long commute from Essex County to Ocean County, but she made it work. In May, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Integrative Health.
“Sometimes I don’t know how I do this,” she laughed. “I have the spirit and determination to do this. I feel it is a calling to impact lives. The journey isn’t easy but worth it at the end of the day.”
Idowu said the support she received from the faculty and staff at Georgian Court helped make it all possible. “Every professor helped me and I learned from every single one, starting with my counselor Dr. Nash who always told me ‘You can do this!’”
She also noted a special faculty member, Dr. Domenic Schiraldi, who truly embodied the Mercy spirit. “In the beginning, I was commuting by bus – often a three-hour journey to and from. He noticed I would come to class late. He lived up north and asked if he could pick me up at the bus terminal. He did this for two years until I got my car. On the way, he would answer my questions about the program and was always there, guiding me and teaching me. He supported me throughout my journey.”
Idowu is preparing to take her NCLEX exams and has been interviewing with several hospitals. “I like an environment where patients need highly specialized care and would really like to work in the ICU, behavioral health, or specialize in oncology.”
At the age of 39, she said she is thrilled to have finally achieved her goal of becoming a nurse, but has ruled out becoming a physician. However, she has a new aspiration: Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Her advice for others pursuing their dreams: “All you need is to put your heart into it. To achieve your goals in life, you need self-determination and a strong community around you. With God all things are possible.”
