My mission, as a nurse and lifelong learner, is to provide the most holistic, evidence-based care that I can to my patients while also acting as a leader and teacher to my fellow nurses.

I’ve been an RN for 11 years and have worked primarily in rural emergency room and intensive care unit settings. I started in the health care field when I was 17, beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). I went on to become a dialysis technician and then a Licensed Professional Nurse (LPN) before earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as a Registered Nurse (RN). Nine years later, I went back to school and earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In November 2014, I enrolled in the Nursing@Simmons online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. My next step is to work toward my ultimate goal of earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

What do I love most about my nursing career? I love teaching and sharing what I know about healthy behaviors to patients, particularly in the areas of nutrition and breast-feeding. I want to become an FNP so I can provide primary care to young, underserved, and developing families. I want to administer holistic, comprehensive care to these families throughout their lifespan. My hope is to empower them to raise the next generation in healthy, positive ways.

What I enjoy most about the Nursing@Simmons online program is the opportunity to get a fantastic education even though I live on the other side of the country. I love that the program features a combination of synchronous and asynchronous material. Additionally, the learning platform, social media groups, and online face-to-face classes make me feel that I’m truly a part of the Simmons community. I’m learning so much, and I know I will be prepared for independent practice upon graduation.

Another benefit of the online platform is that it provides not only the opportunity to obtain a high quality graduate education, but it also gives me the opportunity to interact with and learn from students from around the country and the world. The wealth of knowledge and life experience that my classmates share is immense, and I enjoy learning from them.

If you are considering the Nursing@Simmons online FNP program, I encourage you to get involved in the social media groups and get know your fellow classmates. Some of the students I attend class with have become my closest friends. Nursing@Simmons is a top-quality, rigorous, and well-respected graduate program. Expect to work hard and learn a lot. I am proud to be a Simmons student.

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