James Kramer is a double graduate from Illinois State University, earning first his Bachelor of Science in recreation and parks administration with a sequence in therapeutic recreation in December 2018.
Kramer has a passion for working with the special needs population, and he appreciates the incredible strength, resilience, and unique talents that he has seen firsthand. During his time at Illinois State, Kramer served as an EMT with Redbird EMS, where his passion for health care was ignited. Inspired by this experience, Kramer decided to apply for the Accelerated BSN program at the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN), where he could earn his nursing degree in as little as 15 months.
Kramer graduated from the program in 2020 and quickly began his nursing career in a Level I trauma center in the intensive care unit in Chicago during the rise of the pandemic. He bravely provided care to medical and trauma patients, before moving on to a cardiac-specific floor. Kramer knew he found the right career for him, stating, “I knew nursing was my calling because it allows me to merge my passion for science with my innate desire to provide comfort and healing, forging deep connections with my patients and playing a vital role in their journey to wellness.”
Today, Kramer is making an impact as a community health nurse, where he passionately addresses health disparities, promotes preventative health care, and fosters stronger, healthier communities through education. His work has recently been featured in an article by the Daily Herald, in which Kramer and his team put on an annual health and wellness fair for all ages.
In addition to all the great work he has been doing, Kramer still finds time to show his appreciation for MCN.
“I have an endless love for nursing, and I hope to be an advocate for the next generation of nurses,” Kramer said. “Mennonite College of Nursing provided me with the path to be great. I am currently a part of the Empower program as a mentor and have goals to be a DNP soon and even return to my alma mater as a professor or clinical instructor with Mennonite College of Nursing. I love to teach! Big thanks to my mentor Dr. (Teresa) Novy from MCN, as she is a nurse I hope to be one day!”
