Before the age of eighteen, College of Nursing student Yevheniya “Jane” Tidwell had lived in three countries. Her father’s career as a doctor and scientist of Military, Disaster and Extreme Medicine took her family throughout Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Although it was a challenge for her to continually adapt to new places and learn three languages, she has no regrets. Coming from a long line of family members who have dedicated their lives to the medical and dental fields, it was a simple choice for her to become a health care professional.
After graduating from high school with honors and golden medal, Tidwell enrolled in the Ukrainian State Dentistry and Medical Academy on full scholarship. While there, Tidwell studied medicine for three years before immigrating to the United States in 2009. Her passion for nursing arose when her mother became very ill. “She required various treatments and constant care of doctors and nurses due to her advanced stage of cancer, “she said. “I witnessed the importance of the care that the nurses were providing for my mother and the great impact it had on her while they were caring for her physical body and her emotional well-being. I found myself spending an exorbitant amount of time learning about the human body and its functions as well as reading about different scientific discoveries.”
Tidwell’s husband, David, works for Mid-South Naval Base in Millington, and was her reason for settling in Memphis with their daughters Scarlett and Olivia. Because she enjoys new challenges, Tidwell decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which she describes as the “perfect for her.” While it is hard to balance school and family, I love every minute of it and feel so excited about this new journey,” she said. “I was chosen to be vice president of the Nursing Student Government Association for BSN. I am also a member of the Student Services Advisory Committee. I am inspired by our faculty and clinical instructors to continue my education and strive for more excellence, while remaining a lifelong student of nursing”.
Crystal Martin Walker, PhD, MSN-CNL, RN, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, shared: “Jane is very attentive and eager to learn. Jane is also caring, displays integrity and professionalism, communicates well with others, and works hard! These are great qualities to have in her pursuit of a nursing career, and I am glad she chose the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Nursing to start that career! “
Upon the completion of her BSN, Tidwell hopes to continue with UTHSC and become a Doctor of Nursing Practice – Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science student.