Anujot Kaur's family moved from Queens to Abbeville, Alabama, soon after she was born. Now, 17 years later, she's back in the area to earn her undergraduate degree in nursing at Adelphi.
Her return was helped by the Jimmy Rane Foundation scholarship she earned. The award, given by the foundation established by an Abbeville businessman, annually provides 40 exceptional students throughout the United States with financial support for four years of college.
Kaur decided to study nursing because she’s always wanted to help people, and she was inspired by her older sister, who works in the field. The COVID-19 pandemic has also shone a light on the importance of healthcare workers.
“The virus helped me realize that this was what I want to do,” Kaur said. “The country really needs more of us right now and healthcare workers are just underrated. This is the perfect time for me to step in and start my journey.”
As a student at the Abbeville Christian Academy, Kaur was actively involved in her community. She served as president of her Key Club chapter, which provides students with opportunities to build leadership skills. She was also secretary of the Student Government Association, captain of the Academic Team and a student ambassador for the Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
These accomplishments helped Kaur earn her scholarship. This relieved some of the financial burden on Kaur’s parents, who run a small business that has been affected by the pandemic.
“I was really working hard to get the scholarship,” Kaur said. “When I found out I got it, I was in shock. I was thinking, ‘I can actually go to college.’ I’m really appreciative of it.”
Kaur also appreciates the change that moving to the New York area has brought her.
“I’m excited to be exposed to different cultures and see more people who are like me,” said Kaur, who is Punjabi. “Growing up in Alabama, I didn’t really have that community, so I was not that in touch with my culture. Moving to Adelphi, I’m able to reconnect with my culture while learning about others as well.”
After earning her degree, Kaur hopes to remain in New York and work in a hospital as a registered nurse, perhaps in the trauma unit.
“The trauma unit is an intense place, where healthcare workers are required to be vigilant and critical thinkers,” Kaur said. “I feel like I can work well under stressful circumstances and that I could see myself working there.”
Still, she doesn’t want to limit herself in her studies. She’s looking forward to learning about various nursing fields, such as pediatrics, cardiology and critical care.
“I want to gain experience in all different types of departments,” Kaur said, “so I can know which one is truly for me.”