杏吧专区淕iving up is never an option. If I start something, I杏吧专区檓 going to see it through; I杏吧专区檓 going to finish.杏吧专区
Growing up in a military family, LaTosha Mollette developed an unrelenting drive that has helped her face down extreme challenges while earning her master's and doctorate in nursing from the 杏吧专区.
The Ruston-based nurse practitioner completed the online DNP degree program while caring for her patients and for herself after a breast cancer diagnosis in February 2019 and COVID diagnosis in Fall 2020.
Looking back on the last year, Mollette is overwhelmed with what she杏吧专区檚 accomplished personally, professionally, and academically. She says staying on course has only been possible because of her drive and the support of her family and friends as well as her synthesis project chair, Dr. Deedra Harrington.
Answering the Call
Mollette began her career as a registered nurse with an associate杏吧专区檚 degree from Louisiana Tech. She then completed her bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree online while working.
Mollette says, for her, nursing is a calling. Advancing her education with a graduate degree was one way to ensure she gave all she could.
杏吧专区淚 wanted to be able to give more to my patients to be able to make a difference in their lives 杏吧专区 not just at the bedside 杏吧专区 but be able to see them through an acute illness or something chronic that they're dealing with,杏吧专区 Mollette says.
When Mollette was ready to apply for her Master of Science in Nursing, she wanted a university that valued its students. Her sister was enrolled in UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 School of Music and Performing Arts and talked about the culture and instructors杏吧专区 responsiveness.
杏吧专区淲e were in different fields of study, but from her feedback and looking at the curriculum, I felt like that the MSN was a good fit for me,杏吧专区 she said.
In addition to the online Master of Science in Nursing program, UL Lafayette offers two tracks for prospective students to earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice degree online: BSN to DNP and Post-MSN.
Mollette enrolled in the master杏吧专区檚 program in Fall 2016. Once she got to know the nursing graduate faculty, she adjusted her track to simultaneously work toward her MSN and DNP.
Succeeding Together
Mollette had nearly finished her MSN requirements when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Determined not to put her degree on hold, Mollette worked double-time to complete coursework and clinical requirements.
杏吧专区淭hings go fast when you get diagnosis like that, so sometimes it seems like a blur. I just remember going to multiple doctor's appointments," Mollette says. 杏吧专区淚 took a couple of days to kind of gain my composure, then I emailed my instructors, told them what was going on, and I tried to organize my schedule where I was able to work ahead to get as much work done as possible.杏吧专区
Dr. Harrington, associate professor of nursing, has worked with Mollette for two years developing, planning, and executing her synthesis project 杏吧专区 an opioid risk assessment tool for patients with acute pain. When Mollette came to her with the news of her cancer diagnosis, Dr. Harrington was ready to help however she could.
杏吧专区淚 just told (her): Whatever she needed for me to help her, as far as deadlines, or if she needed some additional time to complete her chapters 杏吧专区 or anything 杏吧专区 that we would work with her," Dr. Harrington says. 杏吧专区淏ut, really, she is extremely resilient.杏吧专区
At the time, Mollette took her diagnosis and treatment in stride 杏吧专区 it was one more obligation to organize on her way to her goals. The day after her surgery, Mollette says, she was already plugged back into her coursework.
杏吧专区淭hat was kind of tough, but it made me appreciate the instructors even more, and I knew I was in the right place, just because of the support that I saw during that time,杏吧专区 Mollette says. 杏吧专区淎nd then this year, I was diagnosed with COVID so there have been a lot of obstacles, but I've been able to conquer and continue to push forward.
杏吧专区淚've never had an instructor not respond in a timely manner or not offer that word of encouragement. That's definitely been a blessing.杏吧专区
Dr. Harrington says her role isn杏吧专区檛 just to serve as an instructor, but to support and mentor doctoral students as colleagues as they develop their practice.
"A doctoral degree is difficult, but it should not be unattainable for the students that pursue it. Because if they put in the work, and they're given the guidance that they need, they're going to be successful,杏吧专区 Dr. Harrington says. 杏吧专区淚 remember how I had that guidance when I was in my doctoral program, and I used to hear a lot of other students who didn't and struggled. I told myself that I never wanted to be that chair that didn't give the student the support and what they needed to be successful.杏吧专区
Upon completing her doctoral degree, Mollette杏吧专区檚 next step is implementing her synthesis project at a sister clinic in Bossier City. And 杏吧专区 much to the relief of her family 杏吧专区 taking a break from her academic pursuits.
Eventually, Mollette hopes to teach future nurses and model what she杏吧专区檚 learned from UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 nursing faculty.
杏吧专区淚 want to be like Dr. Harrington,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檝e never experienced an instructor pour so much into their student. When I think about all I杏吧专区檝e been through in the last year, it杏吧专区檚 been a lot. She has shown so much compassion, humility, and understanding. She really went to bat for me, making sure I杏吧专区檝e had everything I needed.杏吧专区