When Marla Dyson decided to go back to school after 25 years, she planned to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree to become a family nurse practitioner. Instead, she chose nursing education track and found a path that杏吧专区檚 provided personal fulfillment and a professional challenge.
杏吧专区淭eaching became a more attractive option once I saw what a rewarding experience it was; I had 25 years of nursing under my belt so I was able to help shape future nurses,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 enjoy being able to make a difference and touch not only the students who are going to be nurses, but also their patients.杏吧专区
Dyson now teaches in the 杏吧专区 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program 杏吧专区 the same program she completed 25 years ago. She says even then, she knew she wanted to pursue an MSN degree.
杏吧专区淥ne of my professional goals was always to get a master杏吧专区檚 degree,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淯L Lafayette prepares you very well in the profession, but nursing is a lifelong learning career. I always had desire to learn more, be more skilled, and advance.杏吧专区
Dyson says once her children were older and more self-sufficient, she thought it would be a good time to look into earning her advanced degree.
杏吧专区淲hen I first got out of nursing school, the only option you had to earn a master杏吧专区檚 was to actually come to campus for night classes,杏吧专区 Dyson says. 杏吧专区淭hat really wasn杏吧专区檛 feasible with family and young kids.
But with the online program, I was able to work with a more flexible schedule and achieve my goal of getting a master杏吧专区檚 degree.杏吧专区
The nurse educator says she was nervous about reprising her role as a student after more than two decades in the workforce and adapting to the fully online environment. But through UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 nationally ranked online MSN program, she found the support to rise to the challenge.
杏吧专区淭here was a learning curve, especially with the teaching style and not being in a classroom, but the instructors were very engaging and helped me to overcome that,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭hey also had different activities to bring students together for interactive learning. They did their best to meet everyone杏吧专区檚 learning needs.
杏吧专区淭he first semester was difficult, but if you stick it out; it becomes easier and extremely rewarding.杏吧专区
Her professors served as mentors, reinforcing Dyson杏吧专区檚 decision to pursue the nursing education track.
杏吧专区淭hey were good role models of how I wanted to be and really encouraging,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭he faculty in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences really wants people to do well and to succeed. They杏吧专区檙e willing to go over and above to make sure that happens.杏吧专区
Meanwhile, going back to school while balancing work and family allowed Dyson to be an example for her children.
The support from her high-school-aged children as well as her husband were critical to her success in the online graduate program, Dyson says, along with her own planning efforts.
杏吧专区淢y family was very supportive, and I was doing homework right alongside my children,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭hey saw that I was studying to make good grades and to achieve my goals. They were very proud of me when I graduated.杏吧专区
She says she assessed her schedule weekly to designate when she would work on which assignments based on upcoming deadlines and due dates.
杏吧专区淚t was manageable when you planned ahead, scheduled the time and actually did it when it was scheduled,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淵ou have to look at it as a commitment and stay focused on your goals.杏吧专区
Dyson杏吧专区檚 commitment paid off with a full-time faculty position with UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 College of Nursing and Health Sciences in January 2019. She teaches the first clinical course for undergraduate nursing students and will take on another course in the fall, emulating faculty who have become colleagues.
杏吧专区淣ursing has provided a challenge for me my entire career,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭his is yet another challenge it杏吧专区檚 presenting to me. It杏吧专区檚 very rewarding not only as a career, but also in my own goal fulfillment 杏吧专区 making a difference.
杏吧专区淚 absolutely love my role as a teacher.杏吧专区
Take the first step toward shaping tomorrow杏吧专区檚 nurses; request information for the Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education track without having to take the GRE.