From Five-Year Wait to Award-Winning Nurse: Malone Murrell's Journey to Help Others

Malone Murrell, MSN '24, was on track to become a doctor until clinical rotations changed everything. The quiet, human moments—holding a hand, easing a worry, receiving gratitude for small gestures—shifted his path to nursing.

After graduating from one of the Philippines' top nursing schools and immigrating to the United States, Malone faced a five-year wait for approval to take his licensure exam. "I almost gave up," he recalls. But giving up was never really an option. For Malone, nursing wasn't just a career—it was a calling.

He passed the NCLEX in 2020, entering the profession at the height of COVID-19. While many nurses struggled with the timing, Malone embraced it with gratitude. "It had been such a long-awaited dream," he said.

Malone began his career at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, where he now serves as charge nurse and PRN nursing supervisor. His dedication earned him Nurse of the Year at the hospital and, in 2025, the Palmetto Gold Award.

But awards tell only part of the story. After completing his master's degree in nursing education from Chamberlain University, Malone began teaching at ECPI University. "I always wanted to teach," he said, finding reward in supporting others facing their own struggles to enter the profession. He also volunteers to prepare future nurses for diverse patient populations, paying forward the lessons of his journey.

Looking back, Malone sees resilience, not obstacles. Every setback reinforced the purpose he found years ago in a patient's gratitude—a reminder that care is built not just on medicine, but on being present where others need you. 

By Chamberlain University