A plan from the start 

From a young age, Kennedy Golden (‘22 BSN) knew she wanted to help people. For Golden, caring for others wasn’t just a goal — it was her calling. That sense of purpose led her to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of South Carolina. As a junior in high school, Golden attended one of the college’s BSN info sessions and quickly understood the level of commitment required to succeed in the program. 

“I’m always a girl with a plan,” Golden says. 

Golden applied to both the College of Nursing and the Honors College, determined to set herself up for success. After receiving her acceptance, she was ecstatic. “I was on the floor when the acceptance came,” she recalled. “Not only was I accepted to the nursing program, but being in the Honors College was just top tier.” 

From thesis to published research

As a first-generation student navigating the rigors of nursing school, Golden faced the added challenge of completing a senior thesis, a requirement for the Smart Start Nursing Pathway program. Her research focused on mental health, studying the coping mechanisms used by minority students to manage stress. “Being in college, your mental health can take a tumble, and you don’t always prioritize it because you’re dealing with so many other things,” says Golden. “The pressure for minority students can be that much higher.” 

Golden worked with Phyllis Raynor, associate professor, and Abbas Tavakoli, professor to complete her thesis. Later, she presented her findings at Discover USC, an annual showcase of research, scholarship, leadership, and creativity featuring hundreds of presentations by outstanding university students. Golden earned an honorable mention for her work. 

Following graduation, Golden put the thesis aside and focused on her nursing career. But later, she received an email from Raynor, who encouraged her to continue the research, believing it had potential to be published. With continued support and guidance, Golden pursued additional research and student interviews. In November 2024, following hard work and determination, her research was published in the Journal of American College Health. 

Diagnosis and determination

Not only did Golden work to expand her research, but she began her nursing career at Prisma Health Richland. Here she worked in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) then later transferred to the stepdown unit. One day at work, she experienced severe stomach pains, making it impossible to finish her shift.   

“I couldn’t think, I couldn’t chart, I couldn’t do anything because of the pain,” Golden recalled.  

Initial tests and a CT scan showed no concerns, so she was sent home with pain medication for a suspected IBS flare-up. Trusting her instincts, Golden returned to the ER, where further testing revealed a ruptured bowel and sepsis. She was immediately taken into emergency surgery. 

Surgeons removed half of Golden’s colon, placed an ostomy bag, and prescribed four different antibiotics. Biopsy results revealed she had intestinal T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma requiring immediate treatment. Golden underwent an intensive chemotherapy treatment regimen, followed by a six-week long in-hospital stem cell transplant. While it felt like the world was closing in, she found a silver lining in having answers — a diagnosis, a treatment plan and a clear path forward.   

Supported by family, faith and positive spirits, Golden persevered. She continued working full time, traveling to the Medical University of South Carolina Charleston for treatment, then back to Columbia for work. Golden’s shifts at the hospital provided a sense of normalcy and allowed her to continue caring for others. “The whole experience made me a better person,” she says. “I’m so much more understanding of other people’s struggles.” 

The path forward

Today, Golden is cancer-free. She’s since stepped into leadership roles as both a charge nurse and preceptor at Prisma and was recently nominated for a DAISY Award. 

Delivering quality patient care through advocacy and trust is her focus. As a woman of color, she recognizes not everyone enters the health care system with confidence. “Representation matters,” Golden says. “It’s nice to be in that space, represent your patients, and advocate for them. It helps put some of their feelings at ease.” 

Golden’s journey is a testament to resilience, nursing excellence and the power of representation — values she brings to each patient interaction.