Alexandria Ballard-Sims gets a big smile on her face when she says she will be the first doctor in her family.

“It’s huge,” said Ballard-Sims, a student in Wayne State University’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program. “I think about that, and this will be a huge accomplishment. It’s a legacy I can pass to my future children, and it means a lot to my family’s history.”

Family is a big reason she went into nursing. Ballard-Sims was inspired by her late grandmother, who thought she would make a great nurse.

“She always wanted me to pursue nursing, mainly to take care of her, but she also thought it would be a good fit for me,” Ballard-Sims said. “She passed about three years ago, and I still keep that in the forefront. You know, when seeing any difficulties or challenges, I always think of the main purpose, which was to support my grandmother and my family.”

Ballard-Sims currently works as a critical care nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Watching patients be admitted to the intensive care unit with COVID-19 and other health ailments inspired Ballard-Sims to earn her DNP so she could help treat people long before they come into the ICU.

“Seeing all the disparities in health care that have led to deaths, it really it opened my eyes to all the opportunities to help,” she said. “I really want to be more present in the community with the prevention of things like high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease. I want to advocate for the urban community in Detroit, with the ultimate goal to prevent chronic diseases because those can increase your chances of dying of COVID.”

A Wayne State Graduate School Ambassador set to graduate in 2023, Ballard-Sims recently took the time to give her thoughts on the DNP program, why she came to Wayne State and her plans after graduation.

Why did you choose to attend Wayne State?

There are many DNP programs around the country. Wayne State’s DNP program stood out among the list with its focus on urban health and addressing health disparities with the annual Urban Health Research Conference hosted by the College of Nursing. It is essential that the school I attend embraces diversity and is part of the solution to reduce health care disparities in our community. I am proud to be a Wayne State graduate student.

What drew you to the DNP program?

I became interested in the DNP program while gaining experience as a critical care nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. I have made significant contributions at the bedside to care for critically ill patients; however, I am looking to make a more profound impact on the community to promote health and reduce the frequent hospitalizations and death rates in Detroit. The DNP program allows me as a nurse to study the use of current evidence-based tools and interventions that can be used to improve health and reduce future hospitalizations.

What is your favorite thing about the DNP program?

In 2019, I began my DNP journey. My favorite thing about the DNP program is it’s in the heart of Detroit. I enjoyed attending live, in-person classes to get to know my diverse group of peers and instructors. I appreciate that the program faculty have been supportive during this critical journey.

What advice would you give to someone interested in the DNP program?

I would encourage prospective nurse practitioner students to create a mission statement including their reasons for obtaining their DNP. There will be challenging times during the program, but remembering the mission statement will serve as a motivator to move forward to accomplish the goal.

What is your favorite thing to do in Detroit?

I love Detroit and how it feels like a small town, even as a big city. I enjoy taking walks on the Riverwalk and visiting my favorite city park, the Robert C. Valade Park (Atwater Beach), where they have some great seasonal activities for families. The park is also the home of my favorite barbecue restaurant, Smokey G’s Smokehouse.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I look forward to graduating with my DNP. I am responsible for using my degree to use the tools of evidence-based practice to make a more profound impact in our local community. I plan to join a community primary care practice in Detroit to improve health outcomes by implementing annual kidney disease screenings. I will also continue the vital community health work, including organizing community events with the local Detroit chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Lambda Chi Chapter, and the Minority Organ Tissue Transplantation Education Program (MOTTEP) of Detroit.

For more information on the DNP program, please visit nursing.wayne.edu/admissions/dnp.