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UW-Eau Claire photo by Rick Mickelson |
Richard Mokua
- Menomonie, Wis./Kenya
- BSN (bachelor of science in nursing)
- What's next: Staff nurse at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Events in Richard Mokua's life have taken him far from his childhood home in rural Kenya, but his motivation to pursue a nursing degree at UW-Eau Claire stems directly from his eastern African childhood.
After watching his father lose a battle with stomach cancer and his family descend into financial ruin as a result, Mokua decided at the age of 13 that he wanted to have a career in health care to help others who suffered like his father did. Through the luck of being drawn in the U.S. Green Card Lottery and connections with a childhood friend living in west-central Wisconsin, Mokua eventually enrolled in UW-Eau Claire's nursing program while pursuing a food science master's program at UW-Stout. He also held down a nurse's aide job at the Dunn County Health Care Center, all the while providing for his family back in Kenya.
"My passion for helping others in times of adversity has been inherent in me all my life," said the 39-year-old Mokua, the 2004-05 recipient of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation's Marguerite Coffman Memorial Nursing Scholarship. "I realized I could help others through nursing." (Read a more in-depth article about Richard Mokua.)
More on Richard Mokua
Future plans: I plan to start working as a staff nurse at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., sometime in the middle of this year after completing my licensure exam. I can't wait to get on the floor to work with patients and families. Other than obtaining certain specialty certifications in nursing, I am most likely going to pursue a doctorate degree in public health nutrition in the long run.
What he liked most about his time at UW-Eau Claire: I really liked the attention and support I got from my instructors to help me get through the nursing program. Nursing education is quite demanding, and one has to put in a lot of time and effort to succeed. My instructors provided me with the inspiration to keep going, no matter how hard things were. I also enjoyed the company and working with my classmates. They are among the most mature and intelligent group of individuals I have worked with.
UW-Eau Claire career highlights: I like the way the university is set up to make it convenient for the student to enjoy learning. UW-Eau Claire has a community environment with caring, friendly and supportive people. Even though I was very busy to explore all aspects of life at UW-Eau Claire, I enjoyed the company of friends I made and the college activities I engaged in.
Proudest college accomplishments: Making the decision to come to UW-Eau Claire to pursue a nursing degree was not an easy thing for me to do. Pursuing my nursing degree at UW-Eau Claire is my greatest accomplishment. Through that experience I was also able to establish new friendships that had a profound influence on my spirituality and life in general. Working with different instructors helped me establish professional networks that have helped give me the foundation for my career path.
Advice for incoming students: If you are passionate about what you plan to do, then nothing will stop you from achieving your dreams.
Learn about other featured May 2006 graduates
