#MeetUsMonday - Meet DNP Student Princess Williams
Meet DNP Student Princess Williams.
Mississippi native. Self-described “Southern Belle.” Collector of perfumes and scarves. Devoted herbal tea drinker (no coffee!). Wife and mother of two boys, currently working as a critical care nurse. Was affectionately nicknamed “Dr. Princess” by her beloved grandmother who battled severe illness in her later years, a name that hinted at her future path ahead. First-year DNP student on the CNS track at the UVA School of Nursing who is driven by a deep-rooted passion to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. When she’s not working or studying, Williams enjoys spending quality time with her family, including planning one big trip each year—last year to Punta Cana and this year to Jamaica.
EARLY LIFE AND CURRENT LIFE
“I come from a large family of seven—five girls and two boys. My youngest siblings are twins, and my mom always jokes that she stopped having children once they started coming in pairs.”
“I met my husband in Memphis, Tennessee, and through his career in government, we’ve relocated from Memphis to California and eventually to Virginia. Each move has helped shape who I am, exposing me to different communities, cultures, and perspectives. Those experiences have strengthened my adaptability and deepened my appreciation for family, stability, and purpose. No matter where life takes us, we prioritize creating a strong, supportive home and making meaningful memories together.”
HER PATH TO NURSING
“My nursing journey began when I was a teenager caring for my grandmother. She had respiratory issues and eventually passed away, but she always told me, ‘You’re going to be Dr. Princess one day.’ At the time, I would laugh and ask what she meant, but even then, caring for others and advocating for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves felt natural to me.”
“I started at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. I initially applied to the nursing program there but was not accepted. At that stage in life, I wanted everything to happen immediately, so I remember thinking, ‘That didn’t work out. Let me move on and try something else.’”
“But I couldn’t walk away from nursing. Even when I explored other paths, like becoming a surgical technician, I felt drawn back to it. Later, as we were preparing to relocate, I decided to try again. I applied to Montgomery College’s nursing program and was accepted. That experience provided me with a strong foundation in nursing and gave me the confidence to keep advancing—earning my BSN from Walden University and now pursuing my doctorate at UVA.”
"My nursing journey began when I was a teenager caring for my grandmother. She had respiratory issues and eventually passed away, but she always told me, ‘You’re going to be Dr. Princess one day.’ At the time, I would laugh and ask what she meant, but even then, caring for others and advocating for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves felt natural to me.”
Princess Williams, DNP student
EARLY CAREER
“My first role was at Inova Fairfax in the Schar Heart and Vascular Institute. It was a high-acuity unit with transplant patients, LVADs, remodulin therapy, and advanced heart failure cases. That experience taught me how to prioritize effectively, manage complex care, and view patients holistically.”
“I later transitioned to Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Surgical Trauma ICU, where I further strengthened my critical care skills and deepened my understanding of the pathophysiology behind the conditions our patients face.”
“Currently, I work as a critical care float pool nurse at Inova Fair Oaks, caring for patients across multiple units and varying levels of acuity. I also serve as a Stat, Triage, Assessment, Response (STAR) nurse, responding to rapid response calls and other emergencies throughout the hospital.”
WHY THE DNP PROGRAM AT UVA?
“When I applied to UVA, I was transitioning from the Surgical Trauma ICU at Inova Loudoun to my current role at Inova Fair Oaks. I had heard so many positive things about UVA through word of mouth, especially from my mentor, Amanda Golino, a clinical nurse specialist and UVA graduate. She spoke highly of the program’s commitment to student success and the strong support systems in place to help you achieve your goals.”
“I knew UVA was a great school, but I didn’t fully grasp its prestige since I’m not originally from this area. When I was accepted, I was excited but thought, ‘OK, I got into UVA.’ I shared the news with a colleague at work, and she responded, ‘Wait, you got into where?’ I said, ‘UVA.’ She looked at me and said, ‘Princess, do you know what you just did? That’s the Harvard of Virginia!’ I laughed and said, ‘Now you’re making me nervous!’ But hearing that made me even more grateful and proud of the opportunity."
"UVA provides the support and resources needed to truly thrive. The DNP program is an incredible opportunity to earn your doctorate in just 3 years. As part of the first BSN-to-DNP cohort, we’ve had a unique experience—our professors actively seek our feedback and continuously make improvements, not only for us but also for future cohorts.”
Princess Williams, DNP student
WHAT THE DNP PROGRAM IS LIKE
“The professors have been incredible—highly knowledgeable and intentional about using their real-world experiences to help us understand both the material and what to expect in practice. They consistently encourage us to persevere while also reminding us to give ourselves grace. They genuinely promote wellness, even encouraging us to step away when needed, like taking time during spring break to relax and recharge. There are also so many supportive resources available, including wellness coaches, advisors, and faculty who are truly invested in our success.”
“The campus itself is beautiful, and we meet in person at least once a month. During the first semester, we met more frequently as we adjusted to the program. What stood out to me most was the sense of community. When I was new and unsure where to go, people would literally stop what they were doing to help guide me. That level of kindness made a lasting impression.”
“My advisor, Susanne Tomillon, has also been incredibly supportive. She once told me, “Princess, you don’t need to take that class. You already have the credit.” Moments like that show how much the faculty genuinely want you to get the most out of the program without unnecessary stress.”
“I also had a challenging testing experience where everything seemed to go wrong due to technical issues. When I spoke with Dr. Beth Quatrara, she responded with such compassion and immediate support. She encouraged me to get a university laptop from IT to ensure a better testing environment and even followed up afterward to check on me. That level of care and responsiveness truly reflects the culture of this program.”
ON BALANCING HOME AND SCHOOL
“Balancing work, school, and family really comes down to strong time management. I work three 12-hour shifts, so on my days off, I create a structured study schedule. As a visual learner, I map everything out. For example, I might study pharmacology from 8am to 11am, take a break, and then focus on ethics and leadership from 1pm to 3pm. My days are very intentional and well-planned so that I can give my best to each class.”
UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A WORD?
“Success. UVA provides the support and resources needed to thrive truly. The DNP program is an incredible opportunity to earn your doctorate in just three years. As part of the first BSN-to-DNP cohort, we’ve had a unique experience—our professors actively seek our feedback and continuously make improvements, not only for us but also for future cohorts.”
“UVA is deeply committed to student growth. With 750 clinical hours, you graduate well-prepared and confident in your abilities. More importantly, the program is designed to help you become the best version of yourself—not just as a student, but as a professional and a future leader in nursing.”
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