“Growing up in impoverished housing, under the shadow of poverty, I have a distinct view of the challenges faced by those who are less fortunate and it enables me to comprehend their situation and the unique obstacles they need to overcome,” states Monique Prince, who is set to graduate this week from UCF with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
When Prince was 8 years old, she fell ill from a tick bite and was treated at a no-cost clinic. “Though I don’t recall much about the visit, I do remember the caregiver,” she recalls.
Prince explains that the caregiver took the time to explain to her mother how to manage her symptoms and when to seek help at a hospital. He even stayed late to provide Prince with a liter of fluid before they departed. “He embodied the essence of a servant provider, and I aspire to inspire someone like that one day.”
As a first-generation college graduate, eldest of five siblings, and a mother to a six-year-old son, Prince is already a source of inspiration for many.
“Attaining a terminal degree showcases the highest level of educational achievement and reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, qualities that I hope to instill in my siblings and my son,” Prince affirms.
Enhancing Screenings to Save Lives
Armed with the knowledge acquired in UCF’s family nurse practitioner program, Prince intends to enhance patient outcomes, particularly in vulnerable groups. She has already made a positive impact with her doctoral scholarly project, which she plans to continue.
Prince executed a quality improvement initiative to boost colon cancer screening rates in a primary care center. Colon cancer ranks second in causes of death in the U.S. as it can often go undetected, making screenings crucial for prevention.
“Colon cancer disproportionately affects African Americans and Hispanics compared to other ethnicities,” Prince notes. “Being of both descents, I felt a duty to seek solutions to increase screening rates by raising awareness about alternative screening methods.”
For the project, Prince aimed to enhance screening rates at a local clinic by encouraging the use of a blood-based screening for eligible patients.
“The most effective colon cancer screening is the one that patients actually complete,” she emphasizes.
For patients who declined traditional colon cancer screenings, the clinic offered blood-based testing as an alternative. The blood test was conducted alongside other necessary bloodwork, thus eliminating the need for additional needlesticks. The outcome: 100% of eligible patients opted for the alternative screening, resulting in increased overall screening rates.
“This project was successful and it enhanced patient care at the rural practice where Monique is employed,” says Jean Davis, a nursing assistant professor. “It has the potential to be replicated to enhance patient care at other practices.”
Discovering a Passion in Nursing
Nursing was not initially Prince’s career choice. Originally aspiring to become a lawyer, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Vanderbilt and worked as a paralegal in various legal fields for several years.
“But I couldn’t find an area that captivated me,” she reflects.
It was her mother, a nurse, who steered her towards her calling.
“One day, I went to drop something off for her at work, which I believe was a setup, and she convinced me to shadow her for a few hours,” Prince recounts.
And it worked.
“I witnessed the impact she had on patients and the connections she built,” Prince says. “After leaving, I knew I wanted to make a difference like her.”
She began her nursing career at age 25 as a home health aide through an agency that provided free training. Since then, she has progressed in her education and career – becoming a certified nursing assistant, a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then a master’s degree in nursing, and now her doctoral degree from UCF.
Monique Prince (left) and Veronica Sampayo ’13 (right) at UCF’s College of Nursing scholarship dinner.
Inspiring Future Generations
In addition to her work as a family nurse practitioner and ongoing research, Prince aspires to become an educator at UCF in the future.
Prince received funding through the Nurse Faculty PIPELINE program, which aims to address the national shortage of nursing faculty by supporting students interested in becoming educators.
She was also among the 140 UCF College of Nursing students who received scholarships last fall. Prince was awarded the Clinician Life Scholarship in Support of Hispanic Nurse Practitioners, established by alumna Veronica Sampayo ’13.
“Receiving the scholarship allowed me to spend more time with my son as it covered part of my tuition costs, reducing the need for extra work shifts,” Prince shares.
Receiving the scholarship was another “full circle moment” for Prince, who had been in the same professional circles as Sampayo but had not met her in person until UCF’s College of Nursing scholarship dinner. The annual event recognizes scholarship recipients and gives them an opportunity to meet and express gratitude to their donors.
“Having a one-on-one conversation with her at the scholarship dinner was an incredible experience, and I now consider her one of my mentors,” Prince states.
The future looks bright for Prince and for the lives she will touch as a caregiver, researcher, and educator.
“I have truly cherished my time at UCF and am excited to guide the next generation of Knight nurses,” she concludes.