Alumni Spotlight: BSN Graduate and Graduation Speaker Ikiesha Howard
Graduating from nursing school requires determination, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. This BSN graduate story highlights the journey of Ikiesha Howard, a 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate from the Los Angeles campus, whose path was filled with challenges, triumphs, and lasting connections. As the selected student speaker for her class, Ikiesha represented her peers at commencement with pride. After graduation, she reflected on her time at Stanbridge University and shared advice for future nursing students pursuing the same path.
A Message of Resilience for Fellow Graduates
Ikiesha believes one of the most important lessons for nursing students is the ability to persevere through challenges. As she explained:
“The message I wanted to get across the most is that failure is never final. In nursing school there will be many challenges to face, and you may struggle and stumble but it’s not how you fall but how you get up.”
Her words reflect the resilience and determination required to succeed in the demanding field of nursing.
Building Community and Celebrating Milestones
A major part of Ikiesha’s BSN graduate story is the sense of community she built during her time in the BSN program. She described the relationships she formed with her peers and faculty as one of the greatest sources of support. She also shared a moment that became especially meaningful in her journey:
“My time at Stanbridge I most valued getting to know my fellow peers and staff. Stanbridge feels like extended family and when you get to know people and they get to know you there is always a listening ear when you need it. My fondest memory is when I emailed Professor Uddin and told him I passed NCLEX, and he referred to me as Nurse Howard and told me all my hard work paid off.”
For Ikiesha, that recognition marked both a personal and professional milestone of passing the NCLEX and beginning her nursing career.
Education That Supported Her Growth
Her experiences at Stanbridge provided preparation not only for her career but also for her personal growth. Clinical rotations gave her the opportunity to develop confidence in her skills while gaining real-world insight into patient care. She shared:
“Receiving my education at Stanbridge prepared me both personally and professionally. Gaining clinical experience began to prepare me for what to expect once I began working, developing relationships with the nursing staff and getting a first-hand view of the inner workings of the hospital setting during a 12-hour shift is a great experience.”
The Influence of Faculty and Staff
Ikiesha credits the faculty and staff for playing a pivotal role in her success. Their encouragement and guidance motivated her throughout her program. She explained:
“The Staff here at Stanbridge had the greatest impact for Admissions to Academics. The people here are really rooting for your success. They encourage and motivate you to keep on going strong and pushing through.”
Goals for the Future
Looking ahead, Ikiesha is committed to serving patients with compassion while encouraging others to pursue nursing. She said:
“I plan to encourage others in their journey to further pursue their nursing careers, show up each day ready to work and serve my patients. Always putting their needs first and being a listening ear for them.”
Her goals reflect the core values of nursing: service, compassion, and a commitment to the well-being of others.
Words of Encouragement for Future Nursing Students
Ikiesha also shared advice for students currently working toward their nursing degrees. She offered the following message of perseverance:
“Never give up and run your own race, you were not led to nursing school by mistake, there is light at the end of the tunnel just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other.”
Celebrating Our Graduates
Stanbridge University congratulates Ikiesha Howard and the entire Class of 2025. Their dedication and achievements embody the mission of Stanbridge: to prepare compassionate, skilled, and resilient healthcare professionals. Ikiesha’s story serves as an inspiration to future students and a reminder that with perseverance and support, success is always possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BSN Program
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses at the Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside campuses. Their website is http://www.rn.ca.gov/education/rnprograms.shtml. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The program is 180 quarter credit hours and takes approximately 36-37 months to complete, including federal holidays and any breaks between terms. Completion times vary depending upon the start and end dates of a cohort and any individual circumstances that may impact progression.1
Courses are delivered through on-ground, online, and blended formats. Instruction is supported by nursing skills labs, simulation labs, virtual reality labs, and cadaver labs located across Stanbridge University campuses. Clinical rotations take place at partner healthcare facilities, where students apply their training in professional patient care environments.2
Stanbridge University campuses feature advanced facilities such as nursing skills labs, simulation labs, therapy labs, a synthetic cadaver lab, virtual reality labs, a science center, testing centers, and learning resource centers. These resources help students build both technical expertise and clinical confidence.
Stanbridge University provides a holistic support framework that begins with orientation and continues through graduation. Students benefit from free tutoring, access to the Learning Resource Center, Student Services Officers, counseling through the Student Assistance Program, and opportunities for leadership and community engagement.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Future in Nursing
Ikiesha’s BSN graduate story is an inspiring reminder that perseverance, compassion, and dedication can lead to success in nursing and beyond. Explore how the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Stanbridge University can prepare you with comprehensive clinical training, simulation-based learning, and dedicated student support.
Visit Stanbridge University’s website to learn more about the BSN program or contact Admissions today to begin your path in nursing.
Stanbridge University offers healthcare degree programs across its Southern California campuses in Irvine, Alhambra, Riverside, and San Marcos. The university has been recognized for both academic excellence and workplace culture, including recognition in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as an Opportunity College³ and in Research.com’s 2024 Best Healthcare Degree Programs in America.⁴ Its Orange County campus earned the 2024–2025 ACCSC School of Excellence Award,⁵ and in 2025, Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce ranked Stanbridge among the top 5% of U.S. colleges for 10-year return on investment, based on earnings and tuition data from qualifying programs.⁶ Stanbridge is accredited by Investors in People (London)⁷ and certified as a Great Place to Work.⁸
¹Program duration subject to change. Completion times vary depending upon the start and end dates of a cohort and any individual circumstances that may impact progression.
²Program schedule subject to change.
³Source: https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/stanbridge-university/. As viewed on May 21, 2025.
⁴Source: Research.com, 2024 Best Healthcare Degree Programs Ranking in America, https://research.com/rankings/healthcare/best-healthcare-usa/?award=f3d66c8ef200b579. Email communication from Chief Data Scientist and Ranking Editor, Imed Bouchrika, Ph.D. to Director of Marketing, Victoria Sauer. As viewed on December 12, 2024.
⁵Source: Stanbridge University, Orange County campus, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) School of Excellence 2025 Award. Email communication from Michelle Ragland, Member Services and Events Manager, ACCSC, to Director of Marketing, Victoria Sauer. As viewed on July 17, 2025.
⁶Source: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2025/. As viewed March 19, 2025.
⁷Source: Investors in People. https://www.investorsinpeople.com/. As viewed on June 13, 2025.
⁸Source: Great Place to Work. https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7021962. As viewed on September 17, 2025.