Saving Lives, One Tiny Miracle at a Time: Top UCF Grad Becomes NICU Nurse

Alexis Wade, a recent college graduate who will be working as a neonatal ICU nurse at Winnie Palmer Hospital, refers to the premature babies she will care for as “tiny miracles.”

Alexis Wade, a UCF alumna, has started her new job as a nurse in the neonatal ICU department at Winnie Palmer Hospital. Due to being born prematurely herself, she is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of premature babies. Wade encourages other aspiring nurses to pursue their dreams without hesitation.

Wade expressed her excitement about being able to care for premature infants and help them achieve good health outcomes. She was born prematurely herself at just 26 weeks, and this personal experience has fueled her passion for improving the health of premature babies everywhere. As the legislative director for UCF’s chapter of the National Student Nurses Association, Wade authored a resolution that promotes human milk feeding to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious condition that affects preterm infants. She hopes to see more equitable outcomes for babies of all races, gestational terms, and ages, and is not deterred by nursing shortages in the healthcare industry.

Currently, preterm birth is the leading cause of infant mortality for Black babies, according to research coordinated by the March of Dimes. While preterm births have declined overall in the last century, Black women still give birth prematurely at a disproportionately higher rate than white women. To address this issue, Wade is committed to promoting equitable access to healthcare for all babies.

Wade is excited to begin her career as a full-fledged nurse in the NICU at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, where she previously worked as a student intern. While the nursing shortage is a persistent issue in the healthcare industry, Wade remains optimistic and believes that her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will allow her to work for different hospitals and make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

As a 4.0 student and recipient of the Order of Pegasus, the most prestigious honor at UCF, Wade advises aspiring nurses not to be afraid to pursue their dreams. She recommends speaking with nurses and nursing assistants, seeking out job shadowing opportunities, and gathering exposure to the medical field to make an informed decision about whether nursing is the right career path.

Wade’s commitment to improving health outcomes for premature infants stems from her personal experience as a premature baby. Her own struggles inspired her to pursue a career in nursing and work towards reducing the disparities that exist in healthcare. Through her involvement with the National Student Nurses Association, Wade has been able to make a tangible impact by authoring a resolution that promotes human milk feeding to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis, a condition that can be life-threatening for premature infants.

Despite the persistent nursing shortages in the healthcare industry, Wade remains committed to her career and is eager to begin working as a full-fledged nurse in the NICU. She recognizes the challenges that nurses face, including stress and burnout, and hopes to be a positive force in the lives of her patients and colleagues. As an advocate for equitable healthcare access, Wade is dedicated to working towards a future where all babies have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their race, gestational term, or other factors.

For those considering a career in nursing, Wade’s advice is both practical and inspiring. By seeking out opportunities to learn and gain exposure to the field, aspiring nurses can gain the knowledge and experience they need to make an informed decision about their future. With determination, hard work, and a passion for helping others, they too can pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of their patients.