Columbia Nursing Student Spotlight Series: Elizabeth Ballantyne

This is 2 of 4 in Columbia Nursing’s 2017 Graduate Spotlight series. 

 

Elizabeth Ballantyne, MS, CPNP, is a recent graduate of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Master's degree and Oncology sub-specialty program at Columbia University School of Nursing. During her time at Columbia Nursing she was a Rudin Pediatric Oncology Scholar, served as a peer mentor, volunteered at the Columbia Bone Marrow Registry Drive, and volunteered as a Registered Nurse (RN) at the 2016 TCS NYC Marathon with Columbia's FitNu group.  

 

While she had always planned on pursuing a career in the medical field, she was inspired to explore oncology nursing while witnessing the importance of nursing care during a close friend's battle with cancer. Elizabeth earned a BA in Biology with a minor in Health Public Policy from Dartmouth College, earned a BSN from Columbia University School of Nursing, and is a licensed RN. While completing the Columbia Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, Elizabeth worked as an RN at Sunrise Day Camp, a free summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings, and more recently as an RN at Tribeca Pediatrics, a pediatric practice in the greater New York City area.  

 

After graduation, Elizabeth will be moving to Chicago to work as a pediatric stem cell transplant nurse practitioner in the department of pediatric hematology/oncology/stem cell transplantation at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.  

 

How did you choose Columbia Nursing?

 

I chose Columbia Nursing because the school offers both academic excellence and a rich, diverse clinical learning environment in New York City that is unparalleled. Columbia Nursing also allowed me to best pursue my aspirations of working in the field of pediatric hematology/oncology after graduation, as it offers both a great Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program as well as an excellent Oncology sub-specialty program.  

 

As a 2017 graduate, how does it feel?

 

As a 2017 graduate from the Master's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, I am very grateful to Columbia Nursing and my program directors, professors, preceptors, and peers who all taught me so much and prepared me to be the best pediatric nurse practitioner that I can be for my patients and their families.  

 

What did you gain from your education at Columbia Nursing?

 

Not only did Columbia Nursing prepare me academically for my career, but it helped me to foster and excel at the bedside manner, cultural awareness, and interpersonal skills that I believe make nurse practitioners special. As a result, I feel I am well equipped to start my career as a pediatric nurse practitioner after graduation.

 

What's the next step in your in your career?

 

I am thrilled to say that I have accepted a pediatric stem cell transplant Nurse Practitioner position in the department of pediatric hematology/oncology/stem cell transplant at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago! I will be starting my new position in June. 

 

Do you have a favorite memory of your time at Columbia nursing?

 

My favorite part about pursuing my education at Columbia Nursing was all of the great friends I made along the way.  My classmates in my cohort of the pediatric nurse practitioner program are all so driven, intelligent, compassionate, and caring with such diverse backgrounds and interests. I learned so much from all of them and I genuinely enjoyed spending hours on end in class with all of them on a weekly basis!