Amiteshwar Singh ’24
Tell us about your current position:
I am a 2024 graduate of SUNY Brockport’s Accelerated Nursing Program. I currently practice as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac ICU at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island, NY. My role focuses on intensive medical management of patients with acute cardiac conditions, such as cardiogenic shock and advanced heart failure.
I am responsible for high-acuity nursing care involving continuous hemodynamic monitoring, titration of vasoactive drips, and management of mechanical circulatory support devices, such as Impellas, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps, and LVADs.
Were there any professors, mentors, or courses that had an impact on you?
I would not be the nurse I am today without the mentorship I received at SUNY Brockport. Dr. Karilee Bingham, as both a professor and the Director of the Accelerated Nursing Program, modeled the essence of nurse leadership. She set a high standard that motivated me to push my boundaries and realize my full potential. My nursing lens was molded by Professor Janie Dennis and Professor Jennifer Chesebro. They taught me that patient-centered care must be holistic, addressing the patient’s psychological and social needs alongside the physical. During the most rigorous portions of the program, Professor Tammy Farnham provided support—her expertise in maternity care and her commitment to student success were pivotal to my success.
Finally, the Critical Care Nursing course was the cornerstone of my experience. The exposure to high-acuity concepts and clinical rotations in critical care units provided a seamless transition into my current role, giving me a distinct advantage as a new graduate entering the ICU environment.
Did you take part in any extracurricular activities, internships, or campus organizations?
On the weekends, I worked as a nurse extern at the Burn-Trauma ICU at Strong Memorial Hospital. My goal was to maximize my exposure to critical care nursing while in school and get some money in my pocket while doing so. It was a way to practice what I was learning and apply it right away. The nurses on the unit knew that I was interested in becoming an ICU nurse, so they would pull me in with interesting cases. I got to assist with setting up arterial lines, doing burn dressing changes, and being a runner during codes. I was in awe of what those nurses did, how quickly they acted, and the high degree of teamwork they demonstrated in high-pressure situations. It reaffirmed my goal of becoming an ICU RN.
Were there any “aha” moments during your time at Brockport?
During the winter break in 2024, I traveled to Peru to volunteer with Sacred Valley Health as part of my community health clinical. Sacred Valley Health, known locally as Ayni Wasi, is a non-profit organization that empowers local community health workers to become agents of change and improve health outcomes in their communities. We had the opportunity to interact and learn from these community health workers, known as Promotoras. Indigenous communities in the Sacred Valley often suffered from chronic and preventable diseases due to a lack of access to traditional healthcare and education. The Promotoras filled these needs by providing emergency care and specializing in areas such as women’s health, nutrition, and wilderness medicine. They taught our group how to splint long-bone fractures using household items, how to stop life-threatening bleeding with makeshift tourniquets, and shared their experiences providing care in their communities.
This was a deeply meaningful experience for several reasons. First, as a former EMT, I was amazed by their ability to treat the same conditions I had encountered with significantly limited resources, but the same patient outcomes. Second, it taught me that empowerment and education are the most powerful tools available to enact meaningful change in any healthcare system. Lastly, the cultural exchange that took place during my homestay was a reminder that even though we might be separated by languages and customs, we can always rely on our shared humanity to find connection.
If you had to attribute your success to one thing at Brockport, what would it be?
The community at Brockoport is the key to my success! From the first day of classes to graduation day, I felt supported by my professors and my classmates. When I moved to Rochester from Long Island, I told myself that I’m only here for 15 months, I’m going to get my degree, and leave right away. In those 15 months, I not only got a nursing degree but also left with lifelong friends, mentors, and a community that was hard to leave behind.
I now consider Rochester my second home and visit several times a year to reconnect with my friends. The community at Brockport gave me everything I needed to thrive in nursing school, and I will be forever grateful for my memories here. I know I’ll end up back here one way or another.
What advice would you give to current students?
Nursing school is only the first step in your journey. Keep an open mind and keep willing to learn and grow. With an open mind, new opportunities are bound to come your way. Look for opportunities that allow you to practice your skills, such as becoming a PCT or Nurse Extern, as they can help build relationships with nursing and hiring managers and transition into a job offer.