Bosnia to BSN: Elvisa Muratovic
By Tassy Taylor
After fleeing the hardships of the Bosnian War (1992-1995), Elvisa Muratovic’s family settled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, looking for a better life. Muratovic, BSN, RN, was six years old.
“I was born in the middle of the conflict. My grandpa fought for the Bosnians,” she says.
Growing up, the Muratovic family was fortunate enough to stay together. After seeking refuge in the United States, Elvisa Muratovic was the first of her family to learn English. Her love for nursing naturally came to light soon after.
“It just happened. My grandfather was sick – he had lung cancer – and my sister was born premature. I remember visiting her in the hospital. I actually love the smell of hospitals, and I remember growing up I would watch medical shows. None of it ever bothered me.”
Now 24, Elvisa Muratovic graduated in December 2017 from the College of Nursing as a traditional BSN student. She is the first member of her entire extended family to graduate college, and her dreams don’t stop there.
“What’s interesting is that there are no other nurses in my family, and I’m actually the first person to not only graduate college, but even go to college; including aunts, uncles, cousins.”
Although Muratovic originally imagined herself working in the NICU, she accepted a position in the Trauma ICU for UK HealthCare and will begin in March.
“The nurses I’ll be working with are so nice, and the managers are great.”
Muratovic hopes to get her Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) degree, requiring her to get her masters in nursing.
“Elvisa’s story is one of strength and courage, and we are proud to have her as an alumna of the College of Nursing,” says Dr. Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, FNAP, FAANP, dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing.
