Temple TUFF: Women's Soccer Alum Amanda Ward

From the soccer field to the hospital, 2014 Temple University graduate Amanda Ward puts teamwork to play to tackle challenges.

Ward, a former Temple women's soccer student-athlete graduated with a degree in Biology in 2014 before enrolling at Jefferson to obtain her nursing degree. In 2016, she began work at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in their Oncology Unit. Ward is scheduled to finish her Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree from Jefferson at the end of the summer.

In looking back on why she decided to enter the field of nursing, Ward said "I always knew I wanted to help people in some way." A desire to help is what she points to as her primary reason for switching from biology to nursing.

In her current work at UPenn, Ward has seen many changes with the outbreak of COVID-19. In an oncology unit, she has not been tasked with specifically treating infected patients. However, patients admitted into this unit are extremely immunocompromised and various measures have to be taken to protect this group.

At University of Pennsylvania Hospital, the Rhodes Building is home to the oncology unit and has also had different floors become the home for the current COVID-19 patients. This has led to limited visitation and precautions to be taken by staff such as wearing masks for the duration of their shifts.

Increased risk in her place of work is not something that will change the passion that Ward has for her work. In oncology, the nurses frequently treat the same patients multiple times. "I love helping my patients, you see the same people constantly. They are often admitted for 30-50 days so you really get to know them," Ward explained.

There are many reasons that the former soccer play was able to point to her experience at Temple as valuable to her current career. "Soccer is almost like a job, in college being on a strict schedule, getting in workouts and school work prepared me for this," Ward said. On top of time management, Ward pointed to her experience working within a team as a major contributor to her career success, "If a patient crashes everyone comes running and you are not a lone soldier."

Her experience in the oncology unit at UPenn has created not only a love for the work but for the people. Upon graduation from her Masters in Nurse Practitioning, she hopes to remain in this unit and continue the work she has grown to love. "Wherever I end up in nursing, it will be great."

One of the best things about nursing is the freedom, "You can pick a different field and you don't have to stay in the same spot your whole career," said Ward. However, wherever her career takes her, the passion to help people will remain her constant driver.

Temple University Athletics

Temple TUFF: Women's Soccer Alum Amanda Ward

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Amanda Ward

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