Chelsea Wollman ’14

Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10.

Registered Nurse at Northwell Health-North Shore University Hospital Manhasset

“I always knew that I wanted to be a nurse, and that I wanted to go away for college but finding a University that allowed me to be a nursing major while also playing a Division II sport was hard to come by,” said Chelsea Wollman B.S. ’14, who started playing soccer when she was five years old. “I invested over 13 years into the game that I loved and knew that I needed to continue to play soccer during college no matter how difficult it would be while also being a nursing major. Coach Ilsley appreciated my passion for both the game and nursing, and gave me the opportunity to be a member of the Adelphi Women’s Soccer Team. I knew it would be difficult, and maybe nearly impossible, but because of that opportunity I knew that Adelphi was the place for me.”

In addition to Coach Ilsley, Dean Patrick Coonan was another mentor Wollman had at Adelphi. “Dean Patrick Coonan was a true role model, mentor and inspiration for me during my tenure in the nursing program. Dean Coonan believed in me and appreciated my passion for not only sports but the career of nursing. Throughout my four years on campus and within the nursing program, Dean Coonan invited me to recruiting events and open houses for the nursing program encouraging me to tell my story and encourage other current nursing students and perspective nursing students to pursue their dreams and to become as involved as possible on campus whether that be in Greek life, sports or all the other diver clubs and organizations that the campus has to offer. Even after graduation, Dean Coonan supported me in my election as president of the Alpha Omega Sigma Theta Tau Chapter at the University. Believe it or not, Dean Coonan had always reminded me of my father, a truly caring and loving man who wanted nothing but the best for me. His office door, or email inbox was always open and he never forgot to check in on me after graduation,” said Wollman who then went on to say, “I had the pleasure of presenting Dean Coonan with the Sigma Theta Tau Lifetime Achievement award this past May at the annual Leadership Conference, and I could not have been more honored. I aspire to be a leader and influencer in the career of nursing like him.”

After graduating from Adelphi, Wollman accepted a Critical Care Fellowship at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit. The fellowship consisted of a six month orientation that not only introduced her to the hospital and unit but also gave her the necessary tools and skills to become a critical care nurse. During her time at North Shore University Hospital, she was recognized as a Clinical Ladder III Nurse due to her community service and participation in both unit and hospital initiatives. She sat on numerous unit and hospital based committees and served as the co-chair of the hospital’s Organ Donation Committee. She was also a Magnet Application Champion, a unit Skin Champion, and was her unit’s Collaborative Care Council Secretary for one full term. “One of my greatest accomplishments was participating in our unit’s Beacon Application committee. The Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit was awarded the American Association of Critical Care (AACN) Silver Beacon Award for excellence in 2016,” she said.

Wollman then accepted a position as a critical care float at Winthrop University Hospital, now known as NYU Winthrop. “I enhanced my skills as a critical care nurse having the opportunity to work full time in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NSCU) while also working per diem shifts in different types of ICU settings at Winthrop,” said Wollman who after working for a year as a critical care float at NYU Winthrop, transitioned to her current role as a nurse in the radiology department.

“I feel that my greatest professional accomplishment was not only being offered a job immediately after graduation but also being recognized as a Clinical Ladder III Nurse within the Northwell Health System just one year after starting in my position, and then shortly after assuming the responsibility of charge nurse while working the overnight shift with just over one year of experience,” said Wollman.

Looking back, Wollman said Adelphi not only provided her with a quality nursing education, but also second home. “Adelphi’s campus became my home away from home, and eventually made me realize that I was meant to be a New Yorker, solidifying that I would stay in NY after graduation. Adelphi’s robust and diverse campus became one of my favorite places. I loved meeting other students and participating in campus events. I definitely received the full college experience, and wish I had the opportunity to experience it all again.”

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