A Tenacious Spirit

Nursing is a noble profession. It’s fueled by compassionate people who strive to help those who need it most. But the road to becoming a nurse is not an easy one: It’s an academically challenging curriculum, achieved only by those with a tenacious spirit. A trait Simon Keleel, SON ’10, proudly possesses.

A pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Keleel faced the challenges of nursing school head-on, driven by his love of science, teaching and the unique opportunity to merge the two into one fulfilling, diverse career.

“I am proud of my journey,” Keleel says. “I’m glad I stayed the course and didn’t give up.”

Upon becoming a student at OU, Keleel immersed himself in the campus community. Although initially commuting, he enjoyed being at OU so much that he joined the Student Programming Board and moved onto campus after his first year. Keleel went on to become an orientation group leader, admissions ambassador and resident assistant, among other student-led positions.

With all the distractions, however, Keleel’s academic goals became secondary and his GPA fell short of the nursing program’s requirements. “The stresses of college life caught up to me and I was placed on academic hiatus,” he recalls. “I had to figure out how to continue this path, though, because I knew this was the right field for me.”

Keleel worked vigorously to raise his grades, taking on extra projects and meeting with advisers and professors until he was reinstated into the nursing program. He persevered through the requirements and graduated with his Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2010. But another challenge was awaiting Keleel: the Michigan nursing license exam.

A self-proclaimed “poor test-taker,” Keleel hit the books hard for his exam and was heartbroken when he failed. But with a tenacity that knows no bounds, Keleel re-evaluated his studying methods and passed the exam on his second try; a feat that not only brought the nursing graduate immense relief, but the joy to pursue his dream career.

“I’m fascinated with the pathophysiology behind endocrinology,” Keleel explains about his role at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. “But I also get to spend time with kids and their families. A lot of the patients I see have lifelong chronic conditions that have to be managed, so I teach the families how to care for their child when they get home.”

A Daisy Award recipient — a nursing recognition program — and two-time Children’s Hospital of Michigan Practice Nurse of the Year award winner, Keleel is proof that the greatest triumphs come from the hardest climbs.

“I am so grateful for my past experiences that have brought me to where I am today,” Keleel says. “Although it may not have been an easy road, I know that nursing was the right choice for me. Being a nurse is more than just my degree, it’s my passion and who I am.”