At just 16, Melody Afekare left her home in Nigeria, stepping into a new world with dreams of leading in healthcare.
By 20, she had earned her B.S. in Nursing at a college in Kansas, kickstarting her career in the medical field.
杏吧专区淚 originally wanted to be a doctor. I think most of us do, right?杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淏ut I figured I'd do nursing for a couple years, make some money, then I won杏吧专区檛 have to get loans for medical school.杏吧专区
While in nursing school, Afekare learned about the different career paths and decided she wanted to become a CRNA.
But the COVID-19 pandemic changed her career plans. As her hospital faced a crisis, she had a moment of realization.
杏吧专区淭he CEO of our hospital at that time, she was a nurse, which was actually quite inspiring,杏吧专区 she recalls. 杏吧专区淏ut she was on vacation, and we were really, really drowning at the hospital. I was disappointed by how she handled things. That杏吧专区檚 when I decided that I did not want to be a CRNA anymore. I wanted to be a hospital CEO, and I was going to do better by my colleagues.杏吧专区
That杏吧专区檚 when she set her sights on UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 MBA in Health Care Administration online.
From Nigeria to Nursing
When it came to choosing the right online program for her next step, Afekare杏吧专区檚 research process was thorough.
杏吧专区淚 looked into a lot of schools. But U.S. News & World Report had a ranking on top MBA programs in the U.S., and UL Lafayette was one of them,杏吧专区 she says.
Although she was still weighing options on the East Coast, Afekare杏吧专区檚 research quickly narrowed down her choices.
杏吧专区淚 did a pros and cons list of costs, delivery, what杏吧专区檚 expected, and what opportunities come with each program. UL Lafayette just checked all of the boxes for me.杏吧专区
With a full-time job and growing family, the value and flexibility of the program made UL Lafayette the clear choice.
The Road to Health Care Admin
When Afekare first started the program, she lived in Missouri with her daughter, while her husband lived in Louisiana.
杏吧专区淚t was a lot,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 was working full-time nights for the first half of the program, so at the time, oh my gosh, it was rough.杏吧专区
With her husband far away and so many obligations, she had to adjust fast.
杏吧专区淚'd get home from work in the morning, take care of my daughter a little bit, then catch a few hours of sleep. I杏吧专区檇 wake up, spend time with her, and then start studying,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淔or most of the year, I ran on just four hours of sleep a day, balancing home life, work, and school. Eventually, it just became my new normal.杏吧专区
Her husband杏吧专区檚 return to Missouri eased some of the pressure. His support at home let her focus on school, but the structure of UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 program made all the difference.
杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 feel like I had to give up so much of my life to get my MBA. I could take my time with it,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 could take one class every eight weeks and not feel overwhelmed. I could really soak in all the education, do my homework, and feel like I杏吧专区檓 learning something.杏吧专区
But just as she thought she was on track to finish the program, life threw her another curveball.
杏吧专区淚 spaced out my classes so that I杏吧专区檇 graduate in August 2024,杏吧专区 she recalls. 杏吧专区淎nd then in October 2023, I found out I was having another baby.杏吧专区
Afekare was determined to finish her degree before her baby arrived. She balanced twelve credit hours, an internship, full-time work, and caring for her four-year-old while pregnant.
杏吧专区淚t was kind of a lot. I prayed a lot coming into this season, asking God to carry me through and leaning on my husband for support,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 really wanted to be done by May 2024 so I wouldn杏吧专区檛 have to extend my graduation.杏吧专区
Her perseverance paid off.
杏吧专区淚 don杏吧专区檛 know how I did it from January through May, but I did,杏吧专区 says Afekare. 杏吧专区淲ith the constant support and encouragement of my family, friends, and God, all things are possible.杏吧专区
A Vision for Healthcare
With her MBA now in hand, Afekare is ready to make an impact on local and global healthcare systems.
杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 been really good to learn the business side of healthcare, and not just the everyday patient-facing aspect of it. It杏吧专区檚 a business that you want to keep afloat so that it can serve patients and the community,杏吧专区 she says.
Her vision for the future is as ambitious as it is inspiring. Afekare is determined to leverage her new credential to transform healthcare in her home country.
杏吧专区淭he healthcare system is not the best in Nigeria,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭his degree will definitely open doors for me to develop a thriving system like we have here in the U.S.杏吧专区
Her approach involves gaining experience in the U.S. healthcare system and applying those lessons to her future endeavors.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 learning how everything works here. How the business thrives; how to create a high-quality, functional healthcare system where people don杏吧专区檛 get lost or die due to silly mistakes,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淢y long-term goal is to replicate the U.S. healthcare system in Nigeria and other developing countries.杏吧专区
As she steps into a new chapter, she杏吧专区檚 ready to push others do the same.
杏吧专区淒on杏吧专区檛 give up,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淐ontinue to work hard and use the resources available to you. Give it your all. Then those extra letters after your name will truly mean something because you embraced everything the MBA online program offers.杏吧专区
Level up your business knowledge and make lifetime connections through UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 MBA in Health Care Administration program online.
