About Louisiana Association of Student Nurses (LASN)

Ray Washington IV is a senior nursing student at Southern University and A&M College, where he demonstrates an unwavering commitment to leadership and service. Currently serving as Vice President of the Southern University School of Nursing Student Nurses Association and President of the Louisiana Association of Student Nurses, Ray is dedicated to fostering impactful change within his community, campus, himself  and the broader healthcare landscape.

Ray’s professional development has been enriched through diverse and prestigious opportunities, including an internship as a Wellness Counselor at Georgetown University, recognition as a Scholar of the Future Minority Clinicians through Timbuktu Academy, and his previous role as Dietary Supervisor at OLOL Children’s Hospital. These experiences have honed his ability to lead with vision, adapt to dynamic challenges, and champion holistic approaches to nursing and healthcare excellence.

With a proactive approach to leadership and a passion for advancing health equity, Ray embodies the qualities of a forward-thinking and compassionate nursing professional poised to make a lasting impact.

1. My name is Aleksandra Strobel. I am in my final year of nursing school at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) in Shreveport, working towards my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). I am scheduled to graduate in August of this year.
2. I was born and raised in a rural area of western Russia. After traveling the world, I eventually found myself in Louisiana. From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to the medical field. My experiences with various healthcare systems have allowed me to refine my passion, ultimately leading me to nursing. Nurses are the healthcare professionals with whom patients spend the most time, and I am inspired by the impact they have on patient care.

What truly inspired me to apply to a nursing school was the experience of having my first child. Unfortunately, she needed to be placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). At the time, I was still new to the United States and struggled with my English. The NICU nurses went beyond just caring for my baby—they made sure to support me as well. Their compassion and expertise made a world of difference during one of the most difficult times in my life, and they turned my darkest days into something more bearable. These experiences, along with many others, nurtured and deepened my passion for nursing.

1. As a nursing student, I’ve had the opportunity to spend more time with patients, allowing me to truly connect with them and provide quality care. During my clinical rotations, I made it a priority to build strong relationships with my patients and ensure they felt heard. This was especially impactful during my pediatric and medical-surgical rotations. By using my communication skills, I was able to make patients feel comfortable enough to share crucial details about their symptoms, which ultimately helped the healthcare team reach an accurate diagnosis.
2. During my time in nursing school, I joined both the Student Nurses' Association and the Spanish Club. I had the honor of serving as president of our school's SNA chapter and vice president of the Spanish Club. Through these roles, I was able to make a meaningful impact not only on the student body but also within the local community. Volunteering with these organizations has enhanced my ability to advocate for my patients, particularly those who do not speak English. Being part of both organizations allowed me to engage students in community service and emphasize the importance of giving back to others. Together, we educate community members about health, empowering them with the knowledge to better care for themselves and prevent various diseases.
3. After graduating from nursing school, I aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, advocating for my patients' well-being and ensuring their voices are heard. I am particularly passionate about serving the Hispanic community and advancing health equity. My goal is to continue growing both personally and professionally within the nursing field, always striving to provide the highest quality of care and support to those in need.

My name is Caitlan Oeberst, and I am currently second-year nursing student at Delgado Charity
School of Nursing, pursuing an Associate of Science in Nursing degree with an anticipated
graduation date of May 2026.

My passion for nursing began when I witnessed my grandmother’s healthcare team during her
final stages of lung cancer. I saw firsthand the incredible impact the compassionate hospice team had in ensuring my grandmother's last months were as comfortable as possible. This experience deepened my appreciation for the role nurses play in providing comfort, dignity, and support— especially for patients without strong support systems. I learned that nursing is not just about providing care; it’s about showing someone they are not alone.

Throughout my clinical rotations, I gained hands-on experience in postoperative care and skilled
nursing, practicing skills in wound care, physical therapy, surgical procedures, patient
assessment, and compassionate care. Working with older patients was particularly rewarding,
sparking my interest in bridging communication gaps and advocating for those who can’t always
speak for themselves.

As an active member of the Charity Association of Student Nurses, LASN, and NSNA, I’ve had
the opportunity to engage with local and statewide nursing communities. These connections have broadened my horizons, opening up new avenues for leadership and career development through seminars, conventions, and networking with schools and hospitals across Louisiana.
I aspire to specialize in infectious disease nursing and ultimately become a nurse manager. My
goal is to advance patient advocacy and enhance patient-centered care by mentoring and teaching the next generation of nurses.

My name is Tia Miller, and I am a nursing student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Currently, I serve as the president of the UL Student Nurses' Association, having previously taken on roles as Vice President and Marketing Chair. These opportunities have allowed me to foster professional development among my peers. Additionally, I am a member of the Acadiana Black Nurses’ Association, and I am involved in a nursing research group. Beyond nursing, my leadership extends to my role as an Associate Justice in UL’s Student Government Associate and I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I am driven by my passion of nursing, and I am excited to continue making meaningful contributions to the profession.

My name is Stephen Douglass, and I am currently a Junior 2 nursing student at Louisiana State University Health and Science Center, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026. My passion for nursing arises from my deep desire to make a meaningful impact through my work. I aim to contribute to society in a way that I can be proud of, and nursing allows me to do so by integrating critical thinking, effective communication, and compassionate care. It offers the opportunity to support individuals and their families during their most vulnerable moments, which I find deeply fulfilling.

As a Nurse Technician in the Trauma ICU, I have gained valuable experience where I developed skills in patient assessment, care planning, and teamwork. I particularly enjoyed working with traumatic brain injuries and chest trauma, which deepened my interest in the study of consciousness and the resilient nature of the human body.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am an active member of my school and community, serving in various leadership roles, including Student Veterans of America President, Student Government Association Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Organization Parliamentarian and Class Representative, Men In Nursing Organization Public Relations Officer, Student Life Curriculum Committee Undergraduate Representative, LSUHSC-SON Student Ambassador, National Workforce Diversity Grant Student Mentor, Louisiana Association of Student Nurses Parliamentarian, and an active member of the SNA board as Parliamentarian. My service in the National Guard further reinforces my commitment to serving others. I am a 2024 NSNA scholarship recipient as well as the 2024 New Orleans District Nurses Association Rising Star Scholar.

Looking ahead, I aspire to conduct research in the areas of consciousness, holistic care, and methods to reduce burnout in intensive care settings.

 

My name is Abigail Picard, and I am currently a senior nursing student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL), pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an expected graduation date of May 2025. My passion for nursing stems from a desire to make a positive impact on patients’ lives. During my clinical rotations, I gained valuable experience in Medical Surgical, Community, Psychology, Maternity, and Pediatrics, where I developed skills in patient assessment, care planning, and teamwork. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Maternity and Pediatric population, which deepened my interest in becoming a NICU nurse. I am currently the Secretary for ULSNA (UL Student Nurses Association), a peer mentor for the lower-level nursing students, and the Vice President for the Nurses Christian Fellowship at UL. Through these positions, I have been given incredible opportunities to volunteer within my community, grow my leadership skills, grow my faith, make lasting connections within my organizations/university, and reinforce my commitment to serving others. Looking ahead, I aspire to specialize in neonatal nursing and eventually go back for my master’s degree to be able to become a nurse educator. My ultimate goal is to improve patient care and to mentor the next generation of nurses.

My name is Amaya Alexander and I am currently a third year nursing student at the University of Holy Cross of New Orleans, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an anticipated graduation date of May, 2025. My passion for nursing originated from my childhood desire to help others, lead, and make an impact in my community. My first introduction into the nursing profession was when I was seventeen years old and met two nurses at Children’s Hospital. The nurses I met displayed strength and confidence; two attributes as a teenager I felt that I did not have at the time. I chose nursing as a career not only to serve others but to become someone I did not think I was. Nursing school has taught me that these attributes were always there; they just needed to be illuminated by the hard work and grit that nursing school requires. During my clinical rotations, I gained valuable experiences in acute care, pediatrics, women’s health, and mental health, where I developed skills in patient assessment, clinical judgement, teamwork, and patient communication. I particularly enjoyed working with labor and delivery patients, mental health patients, and acute care patients which deepened my interest in community health. As an active member of my church, NOLA Church, I have had the opportunity to mentor my peers, organize events, and teach children about Jesus. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to serve others. Looking towards the future, I aspire to become a nurse educator and to open up my own private practice to service low income people. My ultimate goal is to mentor the next generation while contributing to health care innovation.

 

 

My name is Neko Martinez, I am a senior at Northwestern State University in the BSN program and will graduate in August 2025. I attend school through the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program and decided to become a nurse to serve soldiers and their families. I am thankful for the many mentors I’ve had in my years of service that shaped me into who I am. Truly I am blessed to have walked among heroes and want to ensure our heroes receive the best care possible once I graduate. Transitioning from leading Soldiers to finding my place in school has been exciting. One thing to note is that teamwork is vital to our mission in the Army just as it is vital within a healthcare team and nursing school. I make myself available to peers at my school to help with lecture material and host study groups before exams. I am the Vice-President of the Shreveport Student Nursing Association (SSNA) and Secretary of the Spanish Club. I teach Stopthebleed at our school through our SSNA and assist in coordinating our community outreach events. Our community is friendly to student nurses and I have shadowed over 300 hours while in school gaining valuable experience in Med-Surg and Critical Care nursing. My goal with the remaining time I have left in school is to improve communication between nursing students across the state to share ideas, support, and develop relationships to help everyone succeed. After graduating I will commission in the Army as a nurse and start my career in Med-Surg.

My name is Herbert Wallace III, and I am a fourth-semester nursing student at Baton Rouge Community College, working toward an Associate of Science in Nursing with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026.

I chose nursing as a career because of the diverse opportunities it offers, the chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, the strong sense of purpose it provides, and the opportunity for continuous learning and professional growth.

During my clinical rotations, I gained valuable experience in cardiology, where I developed key skills such as inserting IVs, starting IV pumps, conducting patient assessments, creating care plans, and enhancing my teamwork and time management abilities. My time working with geriatric populations further solidified my passion for PICC line nursing, an area I hope to specialize in as a future registered nurse.

I am an active member of the Baton Rouge Community College Student Nurse Association, where I have had the chance to engage with fellow students and contribute to initiatives that support professional development and community health.

My goal is to graduate and become a registered PICC line nurse while continuing my education to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Long-term, I aspire to earn a Master’s degree in Nursing and become a nurse educator, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of nurses.

 

Introduction
My name is Deontay Shaw, and I am a nursing student at Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Nursing NOLA (LSUHSC), pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an expected graduation date of May 2026.

 

Passion for Nursing
My passion for nursing was inspired by witnessing my wife, a critical care RN, save her mother's life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her selflessness and dedication motivated me to pursue a second career as a registered nurse. I aim to emulate her commitment to excellence and compassionate care.

 

Academic and Clinical Experiences
I have excelled academically and gained hands-on experience through clinical rotations in medical-surgical nursing, community health, and simulation. These experiences have refined my skills in patient assessment, medication administration, and teamwork. I am particularly drawn to critical care, where I can make a meaningful impact.

 

Leadership and Volunteerism
As an Army veteran, I have leveraged my leadership skills in nursing education. I actively participate in the Louisiana Student Nurses Association (LSNA), Student Government Association (SGA), and Student Veterans of America (SVA). Additionally, I support fellow veterans through LaVet, helping them navigate higher education. These roles have allowed me to advocate for peers, organize events, and contribute to initiatives that foster student and veteran success. My previous experience as a business owner has further strengthened my work ethic and ability to manage high-pressure situations.

 

Goals and Aspirations
My goal is to excel as a registered nurse specializing in critical care. Long-term, I aspire to advance nursing leadership and research, contributing to healthcare innovation and improved patient outcomes.

 

Closing
I am committed to lifelong learning, compassionate care, and making a meaningful impact in the nursing profession.

 

Keshia Carhee is a serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses, and she specifically focuses on helping others begin their own business. Keshia’s knowledge, skills, and expertise are vital as she has been chosen as the Fundraising Coordinator for the Louisiana Association fo Student Nurses. She has proven long-term meaningful relationships statewide with key stakeholders, government agencies, foundations, and donors. She has a proven track record of successful profit and non-profit ventures. Besides her businesses she can be found providing clinical therapeutic services in Caddo and Bossier parishes.

 

Keshia Carhee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in December 2012. She obtained her Master's Degree from Louisiana State University Agricultural & Mechanical College in December 2014. Keshia has returned to college to pursue her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Northwestern State University in Shreveport.