Jayne Lindsey
I chose the MSN–Nurse Educator program because teaching has always been an important part of my nursing practice. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed educating patients, families, staff, and students. I wanted to build on my nursing experience while developing the knowledge and skills to become a stronger educator and open the door to future opportunities in nursing education. I had heard great things from other nurses who completed their master’s degrees through Herzing, especially about the flexibility and support offered through the online program.
All of the faculty I worked with were supportive and genuinely invested in my success. I appreciated their encouragement, feedback, and willingness to answer questions throughout the program. Their real-world nursing and education experience also made what I was learning feel relevant to my own professional practice.
One of my biggest challenges was balancing graduate school with working full-time and managing family and other responsibilities. I learned to be very intentional with my time, stay organized, and take things one assignment and one course at a time. There were definitely busy and challenging periods, but staying focused on why I started helped me keep going.
The flexibility of Herzing’s online program enabled me to continue working full-time while completing my degree. The course structure, clear expectations, and support from faculty helped me stay on track while balancing school with work and family responsibilities.
My practicum experiences were especially valuable because they allowed me to apply what I had learned in real nursing education settings. Working alongside experienced nurse educators, developing educational materials, teaching staff, and completing my own teaching project helped me gain confidence and see how the nurse educator role can look in different settings.
I was surprised by how much I grew professionally throughout the program. I began the program thinking primarily about becoming a better educator, but I also developed skills in leadership, curriculum development, evidence-based practice, and evaluation. I also discovered that there are many different ways I can use a Nurse Educator degree throughout my career.
Completing my MSN–Nurse Educator degree has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Herzing gave me the flexibility to pursue this goal while continuing to work full-time and be present for my family. I am especially grateful for the faculty members who supported and encouraged me throughout the program. I am leaving Herzing not only with a degree, but with greater confidence in myself as a nurse, educator, and leader. I am proud of how much I have grown and excited to see where this next chapter takes me.
I plan to continue in my current role as a school nurse while seeking opportunities to apply my MSN and Nurse Educator preparation. I have really enjoyed the teaching experiences throughout this program. I am excited to continue growing as an educator, whether through staff education, nursing education, or other opportunities that allow me to combine my nursing experience with teaching.
