CHINELO OKOYE, FNP-C, CPNP-PC, MSN, RN

Chinelo Okoye, FNP-C, CPNP-PC, MSN, RN is a double board-certified Family & Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University, NJ. Following her undergraduate studies, she sharpened her clinical skills as a Registered Nurse in several healthcare arenas for 4 years, primarily serving the pediatric population.

During her collegiate years, Chinelo always had the drive to enhance and elevate the field of nursing. As an undergraduate student, she co-founded the “Peer Mentorship Program” which served as an avenue for junior nursing students to be matched with a senior student mentor who would walk them through their early years and provide support and guidance as they navigated the rigors of nursing school.

After excelling at her Master’s program, Chinelo was among a few candidates selected from hundreds of applicants to become a Pediatric Fellow at Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC. The fellowship program was a 1-year intensive learning adventure, where she obtained first-hand observational experience in several pediatric-specific specialties, outside of primary care. Chinelo's capstone project was a poster titled "Don't Call Me Mid-Level," a research work that focused on the consequences of using degrading labels in referring to Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician's Assistants. To crown off her achievements during that year, she was selected by her peers to represent the cohort as their graduating class speaker.

As the Founder of Nurse On Purpose, Chinelo aims to challenge and reform media stereotypes of nursing; this mission is at the heart of her drive.

As a native of Nigeria, Chinelo is aware of how far nurses still have to go in order to elevate nursing practice in other parts of the world. She recognizes that the action of upholding the nursing profession begins internally. According to her, "the way we dress, present and carry ourselves, our wealth of skill and knowledge, the ability to add value, our confidence, compassion, and sense of professional worth, all play a role in how nurses are perceived as a body."

Chinelo has met and worked with highly skilled and brilliant nursing professors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and political activists and knows that nursing is far different than the images portrayed on popular television shows. She has a vision for nursing - to challenge and bring to an end stereotypical representations in media and to highlight our intelligence, professionalism, excellent leadership abilities, and devoted patient care.