One alumna explains how Walden helped her become a leader.
NAME: Tereasa A. Hughes ’11
DEGREE EARNED: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
CURRENT PROGRAM: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
CURRENT JOB: Nurse manager at Hampton Roads Specialty Hospital, a long-term acute care facility in Newport News, Va.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT WALDEN? As a nurse supervisor in my previous position at Riverside Regional Medical Center, I needed to earn a BSN to retain my job. A critical-care nurse who was in the MSN program told me about Walden.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT WALDEN WAS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR YOU? I knew right away. The class schedule is flexible. I can’t commit to a set schedule every week because my work schedule varies, and it’s now possible to do both.
WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE WALDEN PROGRAM? My proudest moment was accepting my role as a manager about a month after finishing my BSN. You never realize what you are missing in nursing before you go back to school. As someone in a position of leadership, the more I am informed, the better I can improve quality of care.
WHY DO YOU REFER OTHERS TO WALDEN? The BSN is becoming a preferred degree, and other nurses are looking for a school with flexible hours. I’ve referred about 25 nurses to Walden, including another supervisor. I talk with them about what I am doing and log in to show them what it is like so they understand it’s an attainable goal.
Refer friends, family, and colleagues at www.WaldenU.edu/refer.