Pursuing Her Call: Morgan Curtis Strives to Educate Caring and Compassionate Nurses

Gardner-Webb Alumna Fully Confident and Prepared by Hunt School of Nursing Faculty

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As an undergraduate student in the Hunt School of Nursing, Morgan Curtis was already familiar with the high quality, student-centered programs offered by Gardner-Webb University. She knew the nursing faculty to be caring educators and expertly skilled in holistic nursing practice.

When she graduated in 2019 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), she immediately applied for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) education concentration. While she enjoys direct hands-on care to patients, Curtis has a passion for sharing knowledge and encouraging others in their studies.

Looking back, she realizes her desire to teach began when she was a child observing her mother’s impact in the classroom. She perceived her interest in nursing when she was in high school and her friend’s father was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. “I discovered a deepening interest in caring for others, along with a passion for science and medicine,” Curtis explained. “The care provided by nurses during that time had a profound impact on me. It became clear that nursing was the path God was leading me to take.”

She was attracted to Gardner-Webb for two reasons: the Christian community and Division I swim team. She came for a visit and liked everything about the campus. “Gardner-Webb became a place of community, friendship, and growth,” Curtis described. “As an undergraduate in the nursing program, I was never just a number. I spent time with my nursing faculty in their offices and on mission trips. They wanted to know me more than just a student. They wanted to see me grow as a person, nurse, and as a follower of Christ. They prayed with me, and I knew they were praying for us outside of the classroom, too.”

In the BSN program, Curtis combined her nursing and teaching skills to serve as a tutor and lead study groups. She is grateful to all of her professors for helping her develop as a professional and to her coaches for the lessons learned while competing with the swim team. “They had a huge impact on my life,” she affirmed. “My faculty and coaches worked hard to set me up for success in the classroom and in the pool. It is one of the biggest blessings I will never forget.”

With the foundation provided by the nursing and science faculty, she began her nursing career with confidence. She started her career at the Cleveland Clinic in the Emergency Room (ER) and later accepted a position in the pediatric ER at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she still continues to work as a pediatric ER nurse while teaching at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. Her supervisors at Cleveland were impressed with her abilities. “At the bedside, my managers have described me as ‘a quick learner,’ ‘adaptable,’ ‘a critical thinker,” and ‘an excellent teacher and mentor,’” Curtis shared. “These skills were fostered by the education I received at Gardner-Webb.”

Because of her leadership abilities, she was asked to be an MSN student representative at Gardner-Webb. “As someone who lived in Michigan during the program, I never wanted anyone to feel distant,” she asserted. “As a representative, I was able to listen to any concerns (from classmates) and report back to faculty.”

While working on her master’s degree, she completed her practicum at Cornerstone University. “I had the opportunity to work with Maria McCormick, who was the director of nursing at Cornerstone,” Curtis related. “Throughout the practicum, I collaborated with faculty, assisted in the open and skills labs, participated in simulation, guest lectured, and observed their preparation for an accreditation visit. This experience taught me so much and allowed me to build strong connections with students. When a full-time faculty position opened as their program expanded, I was thrilled to apply and begin my teaching career right after graduation in 2023.”

Curtis continued, “I felt prepared as I took on a full teaching load, with one of the courses being a new course that had never been taught at Cornerstone. My success can be attributed to the preparation of the Gardner-Webb professors and the design of the MSN program.”

Her students also commend her skills as an instructor, describing her as inspiring, encouraging and genuinely interested in their success. One student noted: “Probably one of my favorite courses this semester largely due to the effective way the content was taught. While a heavy class, the prof was very effective at providing activities to help the students learn. I truly felt the professor wanted the students to succeed and that made such a difference in my motivation in this class.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.