ACML Student Profile: Nicholas Forlini
MS ’24
All of my opportunities have stemmed from coming out of my comfort zone, taking a chance, and having the right people recognize my potential and encourage me to try.
Please tell us a bit about yourself; where are you from, and what do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm a 31-year-old Italian American from Yonkers, New York. I enjoy spending time with my family, fiancee, and friends. I travel, watch movies, cook, and play tennis.
Why did you decide to pursue nursing, and why did you choose Columbia?
My pursuit of nursing started at 17 years old. I attended Archbishop Stepinac High School and was interested in the medical field. I joined a Healthcare Forum Club, and its organizers introduced me to nursing and encouraged me to apply for a summer nurse apprentice internship at White Plains Hospital. At the time, I never considered nursing as a career option. Yet, I took a chance, applied for the program, got accepted, and spent my summer caring for patients. I enjoyed it so much that I completed the internship for four consecutive summers.
I have always had an interest in nursing leadership. After working in the Covid ICU at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester during the pandemic and at the bedside for over a decade, I pivoted into leadership. As an NYP employee, I have access to Columbia Nursing's Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership (ACML) program. Attending a prestigious Ivy League school such as Columbia made me hesitant. The director of critical care at Westchester, a close mentor and colleague, connected me with her husband, who has accomplished a noteworthy career in administration as a nurse. I spoke with him and expressed my concerns. He reassured me and the confidence he instilled in me from that one phone call led me to graduate with my master's from Columbia with a 3.88 GPA. I am very proud of how far I have come.
What are you passionate about, and how has being a student at Columbia Nursing allowed you to follow that passion?
I am passionate about problem-solving and reengineering patient care. In all my roles over the years, I've taken the lead as charge nurse and have led committees to improve the patient experience. I view practices from the perspective of maximizing efficiency and optimizing patient outcomes. Any change, either big or small, is worth exploring. The ACML program at Columbia provided me with the knowledge and resources to drive change and growth in nursing.
What are your next steps after graduation?
I truly enjoyed connecting with my classmates via Zoom every week at Columbia. Since graduating, I transitioned to my first leadership position as a perioperative service clinical manager at NYP Weill Cornell and have reconnected with many classmates in leadership positions. Columbia created a network of strong nursing leaders who I am pleased to call my colleagues.
My next steps are to grow in my clinical manager role. I am learning a wealth of leadership qualities under the guidance of my patient care director and fellow clinical manager. In the last five months, I finally became the nursing leader I always manifested when I started my career. All of my opportunities have stemmed from coming out of my comfort zone, taking a chance, and having the right people recognize my potential and encourage me to try. My parents, valuing my potential, have always instilled a hard work ethic and continue to set goals.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I recently got engaged to my beautiful fiancee. We are planning to tie the knot in June 2025. We are both in the health care field; she is a speech-language pathologist. I am fortunate to have a supportive partner sharing the same life goals. Together, we will continue to take chances and enjoy our life's accomplishments.