OHIO Chillicothe alumna Wendy Thornton followed untraditional path to nursing excellence

Pursuing a dream deferred

Wendy Thornton was 11 years old when she decided she wanted to be a nurse. Her interactions with a NICU nurse caring for premature babies in the hospital where her brother was receiving care inspired her to seek a career in caring for others. After having two daughters at a young age, Thornton decided to put higher education off while she focused on raising her children. When her youngest daughter was a junior in high school, Thornton decided it was time for her to go back to school and pursue the nursing degree she aspired to. Wendy and her daughter even studied together at the library while they were both students at Ohio University Chillicothe.

Thornton knew she wanted to go back to school and chose OHIO Chillicothe for its convenient location, intimate setting, and for its nursing program. She was part of the inaugural Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) cohort which launched at OHIO Chillicothe in 2012.

“I was very nontraditional,” she reflects, “I didn't get back to college until my late 30s.”

Reflecting on her time at OHIO Chillicothe, Thornton praises the campus's smaller scale and the personal connections it fosters between students and professors.

“The teacher-to-student ratio is much more conducive to higher learning,” she said.

This environment proved pivotal for Thornton as she embarked on the challenging journey of nursing school.

A career in care: Impacting lives at the James Cancer Center

After graduating in 2016, Thornton set her sights on a career at the James Cancer Center at the Ohio State University Medical Center where she has worked for the past seven years.

“I've always had an interest in oncology,” Thornton said, explaining that she was drawn to the James Cancer Center after seeing how the facility featured natural light and a connection to the outdoors.

Thornton has served in several different areas at the James Cancer Center, beginning her nursing career there in acute leukemia care. As a primary care nurse caring for patients with leukemia, Thornton forged close relationships with her patients and their families.

“You inevitably get close to them,” she said. “You know them. You know their parents. You know their children, their aunts, uncles, their pets. You know everything about them. It's wonderful because that connection makes a big difference in how the patients respond to their treatment, but it can also be really hard because on that floor you lose people, and it happens a lot.”

Thornton has also served in the operating room, radiation oncology, and worked with clinical trials, before finding her niche as nurse case manager in hepatopancreatobiliary surgical oncology.

“I take care of a lot of patients with pancreatic cancer and I'm providing education pre- and post-surgery education,” explained Thornton.

Navigating challenges and finding strength

Thornton vividly recalls the rigors of nursing school.

“Having teachers (like Camille Leadingham) who knew how to make information stick made a big difference,” she said.

She credits her instructors for pushing her beyond her comfort zone, preparing her for the complexities of the nursing profession.

Associate Professor of Nursing Camille Leadingham remembers Thornton as an engaged and high-performing student.

“She was a pleasure to have in class and excelled as a nursing student,” Leadingham said. “Her love for outdoor physical activities and music shined through.”

Thornton’s perseverance was tested not only by the academic rigor of nursing school, but also by personal struggles as she navigated a divorce while completing her degree. Thornton said nursing school became her refuge and her path to independence.

Advice for future nurses

“Nursing is something that's going to challenge you every day, no matter how long you've been doing it,” Thornton said.

Her advice for aspiring nurses is rooted in her own experiences. She stresses the importance of self-advocacy and mental health awareness in nursing, a field she says demands resilience and compassion.

“Nursing can wreak havoc on your mental health,” Thornton said, “You have to prioritize yourself.”

She prioritizes her own health and well-being and devotes time to hiking, a practice that brings her peace amidst life's demands.

Reflecting on her educational journey, Thornton encourages prospective students to embrace the challenges of nursing school.

“It's tough," she acknowledges, "but it does benefit you in the long run." Her advice is seasoned with wisdom gained from overcoming personal and professional obstacles.

As Thornton looks back at her time at Ohio University Chillicothe, she sees not just a stepping stone but a cornerstone that served as the foundation for her nursing career.

“Ohio University Chillicothe does a really good job of preparing their nurses," she said, "The challenging environment they create is crucial.”