Where do you consider your hometown?
I was born and raised in Madison.
Where are you now, and how are you using your BSN degree?
I live in River Falls with my husband and kids. We live on a working farm where we raise meat animals and grow crops.
I’m currently doing home care, based out of a hospital, and occasionally I dabble in the emergency room (ER). I was working as an ER nurse while I went through school, and getting a bachelor’s degree allowed me to keep my spot in the hospital and upped my pay grade.
Making the transition from the ER to home care was a little nerve-wracking. I was unsure if I was going to like it or not, but I can’t beat it! I make my own hours, and pretty much everyone you see appreciates you.
What about the BSN@Home program appealed to you?
I attended UW–Madison for several years when I was just a young kiddo, and I didn’t really know where I wanted to go with my path. I was in the marching band; then I got my paramedic license, went and lived in a fire station, and did some internships.
At that time, I swore up and down that I would never be a nurse. My idea of nursing was just passing meds and wiping butts, and I wanted to do medicine. Nursing has so many opportunities, but I was so naïve at the time. What other job allows you to stay in one field but do so many different things?
Eventually, I realized I still wanted to complete my degree at UW and finish what I had started. Since I live four hours away from Madison, the main reason I chose BSN@Home is because it’s online. It all worked out really well. I graduated from the program eight months pregnant. And on my graduation cap, I wrote, “Two kids, seven years, and one degree later, I finally did it!”
What was the most valuable experience during your nursing education? Why?
My favorite part of the program was doing the capstone at a nearby hospital. It gave me a different perspective, and I enjoyed getting the support of an instructor throughout the whole thing. Those of us in the BSN@Home program are already nursing professionals, and the program allows us to take hold of our education and do it in our own time. When I started, I was working 12-hour overnight shifts in the ER. The program allowed me to pick any time that I needed to get things done- which was huge.
What advice would you give to individuals considering completing their BSN?
I’d say, “Go for it!” They say there’s never a good time to have kids, and there’s also never the perfect time to go back to school. You’re going to have bumps, but there’s so much flexibility with this program — which is huge. Having a program that understands that we’re all working nurses and coming from different backgrounds is a big help. Get your foot in the door and know there’s support along the way.
What advice would you give to recent alumni?
Take it one day at a time, but look forward to your future also. Look at where you want your life to take you, but don’t expect it to all happen right away.
What’s the biggest challenge facing nurses today?
Our patients are the reason we’re here, but they can also be our biggest heartache. One of the reasons I got out of the ER was that I felt like a flight attendant who offered medical services. God bless the people who can do that, but it’s not for everyone.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a nurse?
Also the patients! As a home care nurse, I have clients that I see every day. I really build relationships with them, and they’re so appreciative of what I offer.