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A community of support: Ashley Khatib helps nursing students find their path
As the College of Nursing peer advisor, Khatib draws on her own experiences and the support she's received to help fellow students navigate nursing school.
For many nursing students, balancing coursework, clinical experiences, campus involvement and life outside the classroom is an ongoing learning process. For Ashley Khatib, that experience has inspired her to help others navigate their own journey.
As the College of Nursing's peer advisor, Khatib connects students with resources, opportunities and support while helping them navigate the challenges of nursing school.
"I have been fortunate to have several wonderful mentors throughout nursing school who have shaped my experience here at Ohio State," Khatib said. "Being the peer advisor is a tremendous honor and a meaningful opportunity to pay that support forward."
When Khatib began nursing school, she remembers feeling both nervous and excited. Adjusting to the demands of the program took time, but her goal of becoming a nurse kept her motivated through challenges and new experiences.
One lesson has stayed with her throughout her time at Ohio State: growth looks different for everyone.
"Your best looks different every day," she said. "Some days, your best may mean excelling in the classroom or clinical setting, while on other days, it may simply mean showing up and doing what you can."
Khatib's experience across the College of Nursing and the university have helped shape her approach to leadership and service.
Through the Honors Nursing Program, she has explored the connection between research and clinical practice. The experience has also expanded her view of what it means to be a nurse scientist.
"As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses have a unique perspective on systemic challenges and opportunities to improve patient care," Khatib said.
Outside the classroom, Khatib is involved in BuckeyeThon and The Running Outreach Initiative, experiences that have allowed her to support youth and advocate for pediatric health. She has also built lasting friendships and better understands her passion for serving others.
Those experiences reinforced an important lesson: there is no single path to becoming a nurse.
For students who may be questioning whether they are doing enough or taking the right path, Khatib encourages them to focus on their own goals rather than comparing themselves to others.
"Everyone is here because they are on their own journey in answering their calling to care," she said.
For Khatib, the relationships she has built with classmates, faculty and mentors have been among the most meaningful parts of her Ohio State experience. They also serve as a reminder that nursing school is not something students have to navigate alone.
"My hope for every student who meets with me is that they know they are never alone on this journey," Khatib said. "I hope every student feels heard, supported and a little more confident in taking the next step in their journey."
