It was Esward Tetteh's mom who guided her into a career in nursing, and, in many ways, that guidance began long before Tetteh ever set foot in a hospital.
Tetteh is of Ghanaian heritage, the second of three siblings, and the daughter of parents who came to the United States from West Africa through the diversity visa lottery and built a new life in Aurora, Colorado. Her name itself is a testament to that story: a blend of her parents' names, Stella and Edward. It's a fitting origin for someone who has always been drawn to bringing people together.
Her mother, a nurse at Denver Health, encouraged Tetteh to volunteer at the hospital during high school, and the experience stuck.
“I’ve always had a passion to help others at my church, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to help patients and make a diverse population feel like they were seen, heard, and felt like they belonged,” she said.
Tetteh volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing firsthand the surge of patients and the stress facing healthcare workers. By the time she graduated, she had decided to earn her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) license.
“When I was volunteering, whether it was assisting patients or hospital guests, I realized I had a passion for helping them, and I enjoyed forming connections with them,” she says.
Tetteh graduated from Gateway High School in Aurora and completed her prerequisites at Community College of Aurora through the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing’s Integrated Nursing Pathway (INP). Then, she came to CU Anschutz Nursing to earn her BS in Nursing.
“CU has made me feel and act as a valuable member of the community, and now, I'm grateful for my professors and colleagues so that today I can call myself a CU Anschutz nurse.”
“It was my dream to attend a university a few blocks from my home,” she says. “I was also inspired by the professionals who have exceptional nursing knowledge and expertise to shape future generations like me. It's also the most affordable school, which has helped a person from a diverse culture like mine be able to afford my degree.”
Building Confidence as a Nurse
Tetteth says attending CU Anschutz Nursing has helped build her confidence, critical thinking skills, and teamwork.
“Using the simulation lab helped my classmates, and I work in diverse situations,” she says. “It taught me to be confident – while also being a team player – to help solve complex scenarios to prevent patient harm and keep our patients safe. I’ve become more confident, and I’ll use that when I care for patients on my own.”
She valued her simulation training because she says, “it felt like we were treating real patients.” And she appreciated having faculty teach her and her classmates about real-world situations and how to apply that knowledge to prepare for the NCLEX.
“The faculty here helped me solidify my nursing knowledge to safely provide care to patients,” she says. “They’re passionate about us becoming safe and professional nurses and want us to get a full picture of patient situations so we can make clinical decisions, collaborate with other healthcare workers, and provide quality patient care.”
Planning and reading through class materials ahead of time helped Tetteh succeed in the program.
“Having a baseline knowledge ahead of class is so helpful because it solidifies your understanding during class, and you can ask questions during lecture. It helps you understand the material better,” she says.
Mom’s Advice
Throughout nursing school, Tetteh turned to her mother for guidance on studying, taking the NCLEX, and what to expect in a nursing career. She even crossed paths with her mom a few times during her clinical immersion at Denver Health, where she hopes to work in the ICU or MedSurg unit one day.
“My mom is so happy I’m becoming a nurse,” she says. “She’s been very open with me about being a nurse, including making sure I ask questions during my clinicals and maintain a growth mindset. We’re here to learn and grow our knowledge, so it’s important to be open to trying new things, new experiences, and staying humble while working in healthcare."
For Tetteh, the path forward has always been clear. It was shaped by a mother who crossed an ocean and built something new, and who spent a lifetime showing her what it means to care for others.
