Maxine Amanua-Frimpong

Maxine Amanua-Frimpong, BSN, RN, CNRN, SCRN, is the proud recipient of the Estelle Massey Osborne Scholarship for 2025. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing program at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where she is studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Her nursing journey began in Ghana where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with First Class Honors from the University of Ghana in Accra.  After relocating permanently to the United States, she began her healthcare career as a certified nursing assistant while awaiting transfer of her international credentials. She embraced every challenge as an opportunity for growth, eventually becoming a dual-certified stroke and neuroscience nurse. 

Maxine has gained extensive experience across a range of clinical settings, including pediatrics, telemetry, and step-down settings. For nearly five years, she has worked at Hackensack Meridian Health-JFK University Medical Center in the acute neurology and stroke unit, where she provides exceptional, patient-centered care and assists with code strokes. She also functions regularly as both a charge nurse and clinical preceptor. Additionally, she co-chairs her hospital’s unit-based council, collaborating with leadership to discuss new programs, and implement initiatives to improve patient outcomes and practice. 

Maxine’s passion for nursing was shaped by early experiences with health disparities in underserved communities in Ghana.  Growing up, she witnessed the impact of preventable chronic illnesses, fueling her desire to improve health equity and access to care. During her undergraduate years, she volunteered with the Proffer Aid International Foundation, providing free health screenings and public health education in rural communities. These experiences along with her clinical exposure to systemic healthcare disparities, reinforced her dedication to  advancing patient-centered, preventive, and value-based care.

Her decision to pursue the MSN at NYU was a purposeful step to equip herself with the knowledge and tools to address both individual health needs and broader public health challenges. Maxine hopes to work with marginalized communities and implement primary care programs that have at their core, prevention, education, and client empowerment. 

Beyond clinical practice, Maxine is committed to nursing leadership, and advocacy. She served as the Graduate Nursing Students’ Academy (GNSA) Advocacy Leader for New Jersey during the 2023-2024 term and is currently serving a second term for 2024-2025. In this national role, she works alongside nurse leaders to advance policies that support nursing education, practice and workforce development. Maxine also dedicates her free time to volunteering at community outreach events, further reflecting her commitment to service. 

Receiving the NEF Scholarship is both an honor and a source of encouragement. It reaffirms her purpose and encourages her to continue to persevere and work toward her goal of becoming an advanced practice nurse, a nurse leader and an advocate for change. She is truly grateful to NEF for all their support and is proud to carry forward the legacy of those who have invested in the future of nursing. Maxine remains dedicated to creating sustainable health care excellence in the communities she serves.