Selina Oriekhoe

Selina Oriekhoe, MSN, RN, CNOR, is the 2026-2027 recipient of the Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds (NEF). She is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in perioperative nursing. She is currently working at a multispecialty outpatient facility in New York City, specializing in orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and endoscopic surgical procedures. Throughout her nursing career, Selina has remained committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while continually seeking opportunities to advance the nursing profession in her city and community. 

Selina earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the City University of New York’s School of Professional Studies (SPS), where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was on the Dean’s List. She returned to SPS to graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing while serving on the student association in her final year. She received a Leadership & Service Recognition award signed by the dean upon her graduation. Selina is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Education at Liberty University. Her research focuses on the role that virtual community may have in online graduate students’ intention to drop out and online social support levels. Through this study, she aims to add to the literature with a quantitative study that may raise some awareness of the role virtual communities play in connection, engagement, and academic success in online nursing education.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Selina is actively involved in professional nursing organizations and scholarly initiatives. She is currently a part of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses’ (AORN) Nursing Research Committee for the second year in a row. She is an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, The National Society of Leadership and Success, and the American Nurses Association (ANA). She is also active in her community, volunteering her time. Immediately after graduating from nursing school, Selina volunteered over 150 hours at a geriatric rehabilitation unit in her city, and she has volunteered as a registered nurse at the TCS New York City Marathon for over five years. 

Once Selina finishes her doctoral studies, she aims to become a leader in nursing education and research and target her professional work on improving health equity in underserved and minority communities. She plans to mentor future nurse educators and lead research that informs safe policies and practices in nursing. Ultimately, Selina wants to shape our healthcare system so that it reflects the values of inclusion, advocacy, and compassion.

Receiving the Robert V. Piemonte Memorial Scholarship from NEF is an honor and a testament to Selina’s academic resiliency and effort. This support aids her dissertation work and encourages Selina to continue her research study, which focuses on helping online graduate nursing students. This scholarship represents an investment in her vision for herself, her community, and the future of nursing.