When North Penn High School graduate Nyla Wharwood began her college journey, she quickly discovered her purpose in nursing. But when her sophomore-year tuition bill from a local, big-city university arrived, the dream she had been building suddenly felt uncertain.

Determined not to let financial barriers define her future, Wharwood began searching for another path and soon found Gwynedd Mercy University. Though it was late in the summer, the admissions team encouraged her to apply. Within weeks, she was accepted.

“It was emotional,” Wharwood said. “I’d felt lost, like I was about to lose my dream. But at Gwynedd, it just felt right.”

Discovering the Mercy Match

Wharwood’s passion for nursing was first inspired by her mother, who is also a nurse and laid the foundation for Wharwood’s interest in healthcare. At GMercyU, that early inspiration blossomed into a calling.

From the beginning, GMercyU’s values and approach to education resonated with Wharwood. The university’s commitment to service, community, and mercy reflected her own passion for helping others. Eager to get involved, she jumped in, joining the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania and the Black Student Union and participating in community outreach projects.

A Scholarship That Strengthened Her Spirit

This year, Wharwood received the 2025 Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania Florence (Madden) Grady-Fasick Scholarship, a prestigious honor awarded to students who demonstrate excellence, compassion, and a commitment to the nursing profession.

Applying for scholarships has become part of Wharwood’s weekly routine since high school. Winning this one renewed her motivation: “It helps with the financial stress, but it also gives me hope. When you go through challenges, things like this remind you why you keep pushing.”

“The Florence Grady-Fasick Scholarship recognizes students who exemplify excellence and compassion, qualities Nyla embodies every day,” said Dr. Jane Tang, Dean of GMercyU’s Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions. “Her dedication to nursing and commitment to serving others reflect the spirit of this award, and we are proud to have her represent our program and the Mercy values at its heart.”

Thriving in Nursing

Though the GMercyU nursing program is rigorous, Wharwood finds it deeply fulfilling. She values its immersive, hands-on approach, from labs and clinical rotations to simulation experiences in the new Frances M. Maguire ’55 Healthcare Innovation Center.

Wearing her scrubs for the first time was a defining moment.

“It made me feel like a real nurse in training,” she said.

While the program keeps her busy, Wharwood was determined to pursue another dream: studying abroad. It’s a challenge for many nursing students balancing demanding coursework and clinical hours, but at GMercyU, she was able to do it all — traveling to Ireland with fellow BSN students.

“I’d wanted to study abroad since high school,” she said. “To actually do it through GMercyU was amazing.”

Wharwood spent three weeks in Ireland, immersing herself in the local culture. She was given the opportunity to shadow a registered nurse, furthering her ability to explore the country’s approach to healthcare and nursing education firsthand.

Leading with Mercy

Now serving as a Griffin Ambassador, Wharwood helps prospective students discover their own paths, sharing her journey and offering encouragement to those just beginning theirs.

She inspires future nurses to pursue their dreams fearlessly and to lean on the people who support them along the way. Her professors and mentors describe her as the embodiment of GMercyU’s Mercy values.

“I found my niche here,” she said. “I found my home.”

Wharwood has come to represent the very spirit the Florence Grady-Fasick Scholarship seeks to honor — resilience, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in nursing.

Looking ahead, she hopes to one day work in pediatric nursing, where she can combine her passion for nursing with her interest in caring for children. Her story is a testament to how perseverance and purpose come together to shape not just a student’s education, but a future dedicated to helping others.

Learn more about Gwynedd University University and how it prepares students for successful careers and meaningful lives in a global society.