Nyla Sanders

Current Position: Nurse Extern and Patient Care Technician, Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital

When Nyla Sanders began looking for colleges during the summer before her sophomore year, transferring schools was the last thing on her mind.

After receiving an unexpected tuition bill from her previous university, however, she was faced with a difficult decision. Determined to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse, Nyla began searching for a new opportunity just weeks before the start of the fall semester.

During that search, she discovered Gwynedd Mercy University.

I remember sitting in the car with my mom reading about GMercyU. The website talked about the Mercy values, volunteer work, and the University's mission. I remember thinking, 'This school sounds like me’.

Despite beginning the transfer process just weeks before classes started, Nyla was able to enroll and quickly find a home at GMercyU. Today, she is entering her senior year as a Nursing major, McLean Scholarship recipient, campus leader, and Nurse Extern at Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Experience in the Nursing Program

Since arriving at GMercyU, Nyla has embraced every opportunity to learn, lead, and grow within the Nursing program.

"I love how hands-on the nursing program is," Nyla said. "From skills labs to simulation and clinical experiences, you're constantly learning and applying what you're being taught."

Clinical rotations also helped Nyla connect classroom concepts to patient care, strengthening both her knowledge and confidence.

One experience that stands out most was participating in the Nursing Study Abroad trip to Ireland.

"The Nursing Study Abroad trip to Ireland was absolutely amazing," Nyla said. "I had such a great time meeting people from all over the United States and Ireland and experiencing a new culture. Ireland itself was absolutely beautiful."

During the trip, students learned about community and public health while comparing healthcare systems in Ireland and the United States. Through immersive experiences, including a clinical rotation at an Irish hospital, Nyla gained a broader understanding of nursing on a global scale.

For Nyla, the opportunity was especially meaningful because studying abroad was one of the experiences that initially attracted her to GMercyU.

"The study abroad opportunities, especially for nursing students, were actually one of the things that attracted me to Gwynedd Mercy," she said.

Since nursing can make study abroad opportunities harder to find, I knew I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to go to Ireland. It ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Beyond academics, Nyla believes something even more meaningful sets the program apart.

"Honestly, I think it's the character that sets it apart," she said. "Mercy is part of who we are. It carries into our students and the way we handle ourselves, even outside of the classroom."

Leadership and Campus Involvement

Nyla has also become deeply involved in campus life through the Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP), the Black Student Union, and The Mercy Center. After joining SNAP during her first semester at GMercyU, she went on to serve on the Pennsylvania state board, attend the National Student Nurses' Association Convention as a delegate, and will serve as president of the University's chapter during her senior year.

Externship Experience

In addition to her coursework and leadership roles, Nyla spent the summer before her senior year working as a Nurse Extern and Patient Care Technician at Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital. The experience gave her greater independence in patient care and allowed her to build on the skills developed through classroom and clinical experiences at GMercyU.

The preparation she received through the Nursing program helped her quickly transition into the role and make a strong impression on the healthcare professionals she worked alongside.

"I've had people tell me they're happy when they see a GMercyU student," Nyla said. "I think that's because our program teaches more than just nursing skills. It teaches compassion and how to treat people."

Post-graduation Plans

As she enters her senior year, Nyla is focused on making the most of every opportunity while preparing for graduation, the NCLEX, and a future career in pediatric nursing.

"What I'm most looking forward to is taking it all in," she said. "There are so many opportunities and such a great community here. I really want to enjoy my senior year while preparing for the next chapter."

Following graduation, she hopes to work as a registered nurse in pediatrics, combining the clinical knowledge, leadership experience, and compassion she has developed throughout her time at GMercyU.

Reflecting on her journey from a last-minute transfer student to a scholarship recipient, student leader, and future nurse, Nyla says one lesson stands above all others:

Mercy is part of us. It carries into our studies, our work, and the way we care for others. That's something I'll take with me wherever I go.