Student: Katelyn Kincer
Katelyn Kincer, a rising senior in the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program at East Carolina University, is at the top of her class.
“Katelyn has been an amazing student from day one of the RIBN program. She gives everything 100 percent even when it is a struggle,” said Dr. Kelly Cleaton, Eastern North Carolina RIBN coordinator.
Kincer maintained the top grade point average in the nursing program at Beaufort County Community College and is at the top of her ECU College of Nursing cohort as well. Her grade point average as of last semester is 3.8.
“Nursing has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl,” Kincer said.
The Eastern North Carolina RIBN program is one of eight across the state that provides a four-year nursing option that concurrently enrolls students in a community college and a university where students complete their associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Kincer maintained the top grade point average in the nursing program at Beaufort County Community College and is at the top of her ECU College of Nursing cohort as well.
Kincer started the program with BCCC in 2015 and received her associate’s degree in May after completing her third year of RIBN. She will be an ECU student for the remainder of the RIBN program.
Since her time in the program, she has been awarded the North Carolina Community Colleges Academic Excellence Award and Beaufort County Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program awards for Outstanding Leadership and Academic Excellence.
“I want to be able to impact others in the way that nurses have impacted my life,” Kincer said.
Her mother is a nurse, and Kincer watched how her mom impacted people’s lives and how many patients have impacted her mom’s life.
“All of my favorite memories with ECU would have to entail all my experiences with RIBN,” Kincer said.
She said the program is set up for success. Students receive constant support, guidance and check-ins by advocates and professors.
“East Carolina has gone above and beyond to help me and my education,” Kincer said.
She recently accepted a job offer with UNC REX Healthcare in Raleigh as a registered nurse in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. She will be working there while finishing up her degree.
The RIBN program dually admits students to ECU and one of seven local community colleges that partner with the ECU College of Nursing: Beaufort County Community College, Carteret Community College, College of the Albemarle, Craven Community College, Lenoir Community College, Pitt Community College and Roanoke-Chowan Community College.
What advice do you have for other students?: Don’t ever give up your dreams and never be afraid to ask for help along the way.
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?: ECU has tons of amenities and resources — take advantage of them.
STATISTICS
College: Nursing
Major: RN/ BSN
Age: 24
Classification/Year: Senior
Hometown: Ocean Isle Beach
Hobbies/interests: Traveling and learning about other cultures, fishing, whale watching and collecting sea glass
Clubs and Organizations: American Nurses Association, North Carolina Nurses Association, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: The beach
Favorite place on campus: Joyner
Favorite place to eat: Hibachi
Favorite class: Nursing in a Global Society
Professor who influenced you the most: Misty Brown — she has a heart of gold and would always encourage me when I needed it the most.
Favorite TV show: “E.R.”
Favorite band/musician: Earth, Wind and Fire
Favorite movie: “Seven Pounds”
Favorite website: Pinterest
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: My dream job would combine my love for traveling and my passion for nursing
The one thing you cannot live without: Love
Role model: My mom
Your words to live by: Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.