Detox and Recovery: The Personal Path of Nurse Practitioner Olamide Borisade

Key Takeaways

• Olamide Borisade is a Florida-based psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) who earned both his BSN and MSN from Chamberlain University.
• His nursing career was inspired by his mother, a nurse, and deepened by his own sobriety journey.
• He specializes in detox and inpatient recovery, combining clinical expertise with lived experience to support patients in early sobriety.
• As a male nurse, he advocates for diversity and representation in the nursing field.
• He advises future MSN and PMHNP students to trust the process, not give up, and show up with authenticity.

For some people, nursing is a practical career path. For others, it’s a calling shaped by life experience. For Florida-based psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Olamide Borisade, it’s both.

Olamide’s journey is rooted in inspiration, strengthened by personal transformation, and realized through education. Today, after earning both his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees from Chamberlain University, he’s helping patients navigate recovery with empathy and purpose.

Inspired by Family, Strengthened by Experience

Olamide’s path to nursing began at home. “I was inspired to become a nurse because of my mother,” he says. “Growing up, I watched her wear her Florence Nightingale whites with pride, going to work night and day.”

Her example left a lasting impression. “She carried herself with dignity, grace, and compassion, and I always wanted to be like her,” he adds.

That original inspiration took on an even deeper meaning later in Olamide’s life. Like many people who ultimately find their way into mental healthcare, Olamide’s path included a significant personal turning point that fundamentally transformed his sense of purpose.

On Mar. 17, 2021, Olamide got sober. It was a date that changed everything for him.

“Sobriety opened my eyes to the limitless possibilities that life can offer when we truly surrender and trust God,” he explains. “I realized I was called to serve on a higher level. My own healing journey sparked a passion to help others in recovery, not just as a nurse, but as a mental health provider.”

Why a Nurse Chose Chamberlain University for His BSN and MSN

When it came time to pursue his nursing education, Olamide found the right fit at Chamberlain University. “I chose Chamberlain because it was a place that felt like an opportunity,” he says. “While other nursing schools can feel exclusive or rigid, Chamberlain felt inclusive and open to seeing people succeed.”

After completing his BSN at Chamberlain, he returned to earn his MSN. He chose to specialize as a PMHNP. 

What stood out most to Olamide about his Chamberlain experience was the support system. “The instructors weren’t just educators—they became family,” he says. “They were engaged in our success and made time to check in. Faculty members responded to emails late at night and held us accountable to our goals. That kind of support makes all the difference.”

That sense of connection extended beyond the classroom to his fellow nursing students. “We still check in with each other, encouraging board prep, celebrating licensure, and sharing job leads,” Olamide says of his Chamberlain peers.

What Is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)?

A PMHNP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with specialized training in mental healthcare. PMHNPs are authorized to:

• Assess, diagnose, and treat a broad range of psychiatric conditions.
• Prescribe and manage psychiatric medications.
• Provide psychotherapy.
• Coordinate care across mental health and primary care settings.
• Work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, substance use treatment programs, community health centers, and more.

Earning an MSN-PMHNP and Finding Purpose

Through Chamberlain’s MSN-PMHNP degree program, Olamide gained the clinical knowledge and confidence needed to diagnose, treat, and support patients with mental health conditions. But just as important was the personal growth he experienced along the way.

“My degree from Chamberlain didn’t just prepare me clinically; it helped me rediscover purpose,” he shares. “I pursued psychiatric-mental health nursing because of my sobriety and my desire to help others overcome what once held me back. The coursework was challenging, but it molded me into a provider who leads with empathy, skill, and experience.”

Now Olamide works in detox and inpatient settings, guiding clients toward healing with both clinical tools and lived experience. Today, that combination of evidence-based care and personal understanding allows Olamide to connect with patients on a deep level.

What Is It Like to Work as a PMHNP in Florida?

As a lifelong Florida resident, Olamide understands the unique dynamics of the communities he serves and notes that its diversity is what makes working there special. “Florida is a melting pot,” he says, “especially in cities like Jacksonville and Miami.” 

Working as a Florida nurse alongside people from diverse cultural backgrounds has expanded his perspective as a nurse. “The wide range of cultures, languages, and values has sharpened my ability to meet patients where they are,” explains Olamide. 

Cultural awareness is essential in psychiatric-mental health nursing, where trust and communication are key. The ability to meet patients across lines of language, culture, and experiences, especially in a diverse state like Florida, is not optional; it is essential.

Supporting Patients Through Recovery as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

For Olamide, practicing as a PMHNP is deeply personal. His current role places him at the intersection of clinical expertise and lived understanding as he supports patients in the earliest, most vulnerable stages of sobriety.

Olamide shares, “I’m currently working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in detox and recovery. Every day, I help patients navigate the early stages of sobriety—something I know personally.”
His past experiences allow him to offer more than clinical care. He brings empathy, understanding, and hope to those who need it most.

“Being a nurse in my Jacksonville community means I’m able to serve people who struggle with the same challenges I once did: addiction, mental health, and spiritual brokenness,” says Olamide. “What excites me most about nursing is that it’s a calling, not just a career. We have the honor of walking with people through their darkest days and witnessing their transformation.” 

Breaking Barriers: Men in Nursing and Mental Health

As a male nurse, Olamide is proud to represent a growing but still underrepresented group in healthcare. He says, “I take pride in being a male nurse. I even wrote an article a few years back titled ‘9 Things Every Male Nurse Should Know.’ Male nurses are a minority in this field, but we’re needed.” 

He believes that diversity in nursing strengthens patient care and challenges outdated perceptions. “Patients are more accepting than we think,” Olamide notes. “The key is to show up confident, compassionate, and capable."

Advice for Future MSN and PMHNP Students

For nurses who are considering earning an MSN or becoming a PMHNP, Olamide offers simple advice: “Trust the process. And don’t give up.”

Whether balancing work, family, or personal challenges, he encourages future nurses to keep going. “There’s room for all of us in the nursing field,” he says. “And when you show up with authenticity, people will be drawn to your story, not just your credentials.”

Turning Purpose Into a Career

Olamide’s journey from inspiration to adversity to transformation highlights the impact of education, resilience, and purpose. Through his BSN and MSN-PMHNP from Chamberlain University, Olamide gained the education to become a PMHNP. And he hasn’t just built a career. Olamide has answered a calling centered on helping others heal.

Explore Nursing Programs at Chamberlain

Whether you’re exploring a BSN to start your nursing journey, an MSN to build on your nursing knowledge, or a specialized track like the MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Chamberlain offers a flexible learning platform designed for working adults, a faculty invested in your long-term success, and a community of peers who will walk the path alongside you.

With the right education, you can turn your personal experience into professional purpose—and that purpose into meaningful work in your community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a PMHNP do?

A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who assesses, diagnoses, and treats psychiatric conditions; prescribes and manages medications; provides psychotherapy; and coordinates care across mental health and primary care settings.

What is an example of why a person decides to become a nurse?

Olamide Borisade was inspired to become a nurse by his mother, a nurse who wore her Florence Nightingale whites with pride. His purpose deepened after he got sober on March 17, 2021, which sparked a passion to help others in recovery as a mental health provider. He is now a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

What is an example of where a Florida nurse could work as a PMHNP?

Olamide Borisade, a PHMNP, works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in detox and inpatient recovery settings in Jacksonville, Florida, helping patients navigate the early, most vulnerable stages of sobriety.

Why did a PMHNP graduate choose Chamberlain University for his nursing degrees?

Olamide chose Chamberlain because it felt inclusive and open to student success. He valued the supportive faculty—who became like family—and the lasting connections with fellow nursing students.

What advice does a Chamberlain alumnus have for future MSN and PMHNP students?

Olamide advises future students to trust the process and not give up, even while balancing work, family, or personal challenges. He encourages them to show up with authenticity, noting that people are drawn to your story, not just your credentials.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
 

By Chamberlain University