Name: Elijah W. Grant, MSN, MHA, PMHNP-BC.
Title: Clinical Instructor at Worcester State University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) candidate at UMass Chan ’26.
Degree: A.S. in Business, Class of 2014
How did QCC impact your journey?
QCC is where things clicked. I started at Bryant University in Rhode Island as a freshman student and had a hard time finding my footing. At QCC, the classes were smaller, people knew my name, and the support was real. Professor Figueredo’s personal finance course was the turning point. It made me think seriously about the future I was building as a student and as a person. The Transfer Office and Mass Transfer Block were game changers. I brought credits in, then carried most of them to Worcester State even after switching to Public Health, so I stayed on track to graduate. The habits I built there still guide me today. Build a schedule, ask for help early, and use the resources. QCC didn’t just give me credits. It gave me confidence and a framework that works.
What are you doing now?
I am a new-grad Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and I teach undergraduate seniors at Worcester State in clinical psychiatric rotations. We work on the inpatient units, and my goal is to help students turn classroom knowledge into safe, compassionate bedside care. My background in inpatient psychiatry and intake keeps me focused on safety, throughput, and solid evidence. I try to practice in a way that is culturally competent, open in communication, and evidence-based.
My DNP work focuses on EMK Health Center in Worcester, integrating behavioral health and substance use therapies to improve care for low-income and minority populations. I am Worcester-born and raised, so giving back through QCC, WSU, and EMK is personal.
Right now, I split my time between teaching and clinical work. At Worcester State, I work with senior nursing students during their psychiatric rotations, guiding them through patient care on the inpatient units and helping them build confidence with communication, assessment, and safety. It is rewarding to watch them grow from unsure to capable by the end of the semester. Outside of teaching, I am continuing to build my experience as a new Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner while finishing my DNP at UMass Chan. Every week feels like a balance between learning, mentoring, and improving. I am still early in my career, but I am exactly where I want to be, learning, teaching, and giving back to the same community that helped me get here.
My education path over the years: QCC A.S. ’14, Worcester State B.S. Public Health ’17, Worcester State M.S. Healthcare Administration ’20, UMass Boston BSN ’21, UMass Chan MSN PMHNP ’25, and UMass Chan DNP ’26 (candidate).
What's your advice for students and alumni?
- Consistency over intensity. You do not need to crush every day. Keep showing up.
- Ask early. Use office hours, tutoring, and advising before you feel behind.
- Find your people. Mentors and classmates make everything easier.
- Be kind to yourself. Paths are not linear.
- Work the plan. Simple weekly goals, a basic budget, and a steady study routine beat last-minute heroics.
- It is okay to pivot. Transfer, change majors, try things. Momentum matters.
How can we connect with and support you?
I am happy to talk with pre-health students and career changers, including CNA, LPN, RN, and PA, MD paths. I’m happy to connect and offer general support to current and future students, whether that means answering questions about school, sharing perspectives on healthcare careers, or just talking through next steps.
Email: ElijahWalkerGrant@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Elijah Grant, MSN, MHA