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MORE ABOUT SARA
For nursing student Sara Murat, Hofstra University was more than just a place to earn a degree – it was a launchpad for her future in health care. From her first days on campus, she immersed herself in opportunities that shaped her both personally and professionally.
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“Hofstra stood out because of its strong connections to the healthcare industry,” she said. “The clinical placements, externships, and access to top hospitals gave me a head start in my nursing career.”
Sara was accepted into a competitive summer externship program where she shadowed nurses during full 12-hour shifts across multiple units. “It was an eye-opening experience,” she said. “Seeing the reality of patient care reinforced my passion for nursing and helped me discover where I want to specialize.”
She also represented Hofstra during National Black Nurses Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., where she met and collaborated with nurses from across the country. The experience not only deepened her understanding of public health issues – such as maternal health disparities and the need for greater diversity in nursing – but gave her the confidence to advocate for change at the national level.
Beyond academics, Sara found a home in Hofstra’s community. Her favorite memory is Welcome Week, where she met her closest friends. She credits much of her success to the support system she built on campus, including her mentor, Yesika Fernandez, assistant director of student success, Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. “She believed in me on days when I struggled to believe in myself. That kind of support meant everything.”
“I’ll miss the close-knit community and the campus energy,” she said. “Hofstra truly became my home away from home – and helped me become the nurse I always dreamed of being.”
» Sara’s story isn’t unique. In fact, among Hofstra University’s 2022-2023 undergraduate degree recipients, 100% of alumni from the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies reported that they were employed or had started or were planning to start graduate school within one year of graduation. Results are based on data collected from the Alumni Outcomes survey, LinkedIn, National Student Clearinghouse, and Hofstra enrollment (89% knowledge rate). Visit hofstra.edu/outcomes for detailed information.
