WVU School of Nursing graduate finds her passion while fighting cancer

Elvera Jenkins created a beautiful moment during the May 2024 graduation ceremony when she walked with her daughter across the stage. Her journey to that moment is inspirational.

Jenkins was diagnosed with cancer in November 2020 at 35 years old. She received a mastectomy in 2021 and then went through chemotherapy. After her treatment, she worked at Ruby Memorial Hospital, where every day she would pass through the cancer center.

“I felt like it was calling my name,” Jenkins said. “I felt like it wanted me to do something.”

In January 2023, Jenkins was in remission and she decided to apply to the WVU School of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, something she never thought she would do. She had other degrees and nursing never crossed her mind, but she was enjoying being in the program. However, in January 2024, she relapsed and was given two to three years to live.

Jenkins wanted to continue her education but was finding it mentally difficult. She had a 9-year-old daughter and was going through a difficult time without her own mother who died a couple of years ago. She fell into depression.

When she informed the School of Nursing about her diagnosis, they stepped in. Her professors and peers started fundraising for her and helping her wherever possible. They brought food to her house and checked on her almost daily. They encouraged her to study, check her emails and pass her classes.

With their help, she was able to get an ovariectomy and a second opinion. She got a better prognosis and better treatment, boosting her mental state and confidence. Because of the help of the school, she felt like WVU was home, and she felt loved and cared for.

With the help of everyone and her confidence boost, she would pass and graduate in May 2024. Jenkins brought her daughter on stage to share that moment. She was proud of herself and knew her daughter was proud of her, too.

“I think this will be the moment she will never forget,” Jenkins said.

She wanted to give her daughter good memories and experiences after what they went through. It meant everything to her to walk on stage with her daughter. Jenkins felt she owed it to her daughter to be there to raise her, watch her graduate and dedicate every moment to her.

She was also proud to be graduating for her mother who always wanted her to be in the medical field. She knows her mother would be proud of what she has achieved.

“Every time you achieve something, you get that piece of a little pride,” Jenkins said. “It was very rewarding.”

Now that she has graduated, she is at Ruby Memorial Hospital doing her leadership on the oncology unit. Jenkins plans to bounce around different units until she finds her nest. She wants to be an encouraging and compassionate nurse like the ones she had during her chemotherapy.

Jenkins is grateful to her professors and peers for how they helped her and prepared her to be a nurse. They taught her so much, especially considering she started with no medical background.

“I went from being scared to walk in a patient's room and do just a head-to-toe assessment to just walking in now and hanging IVs like nothing,” said Jenkins.

Jenkins believes they taught her way more than how to be a nurse, but they built up her character. She sees their compassion as a way of life, and she has much respect for her fellow nurses.

-WVU-

bc/8/5/24

CONTACT: Wendy Holdren

Director of Communications and Marketing

WVU School of Nursing

304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu