by Giulliana Micheletto
Damilola Ola-Adigun’s story extends far beyond the typical hospital setting. Her journey as a registered nurse began shortly after graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a testament to her fierce determination.
“I don’t think that I am the smartest person in the room,” she admits, “but I think that I work really hard.”
This confident mindset, combined with her extensive knowledge of women’s and children’s health, naturally led her to the demanding yet rewarding world of NICU nursing. In her first two years caring for critically ill newborns, Dami experienced a profound shift in perspective.
“It has made me appreciate life, motherhood, and parents so much more after seeing the other side of birth,” she explains. “It is really rewarding to get to meet parents with different journeys, [who come] from different environments.”
In a field that demands precision and endurance, Dami ‘s intense days and nights at the hospital underscored the vital importance of empathy. “You have to share empathy,” she says. “People give birth every day and they think they are going home [with their newborns] but instead they have to stay with me. Nursing is caring, nursing is helping, and nursing is giving a hand.”
After two years as a neonatal nurse in Canada, Dami felt the pull to expand her horizons, embarking on a new chapter: travel nursing. Her interest in travel wasn’t new; an earlier missionary trip to Kenya had been “life-changing” and “necessary for her trajectory,” helping her to center her professional priorities and find the “right heart for this career.”
“[Being a travel nurse] expedited my growth as a person and as an adult,” she reflects. “I learned to sit with the silence as it gave me the resources to explore myself.”
Dami worked as a temporary nurse in America, specifically in Texas and New York, before setting her sights on a master’s degree. She’s currently completing her thesis, exploring the experiences of parents within the pediatric system.
Dami’s commitment to education and personal growth is evident from her earlier accomplishments. She vividly recalls applying for the Future Aces scholarship back in 2015 and remembers when “they announced it on the school intercom, and I was shocked.” This early recognition was a powerful steppingstone for her continued academic pursuits.
“I am the first person in my family to pursue a master’s,” Dami proudly states. “I strive really hard to get everything that I have and where I have gone has been a result of my education.”
As Dami reflects on everything that has led her to where she is now, she realizes that for her, and for most people, growth begins at the end of our comfort zone. “In order to lead you need to be a learner,” she advises, “and to be a learner you have to understand what you’re not good at and build (…) be comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
Damilola Ola-Adigun’s journey is a compelling reminder that dedication and empathy are powerful catalysts for both personal and professional fulfillment.