In 1981, Denise Stearley graduated with an associate\u2019s degree in nursing. \u201cI always wanted to pursue a bachelor\u2019s,\u201d says Stearley, \u201cbut then life happened, there were kids, I was working, I could never make it work. Plus, cost was an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Initially, not having a BSN didn\u2019t hold her back. Stearley\u2019s career was varied, starting work in medical-surgical nursing before eventually moving on to various units including post-orthopedic surgery, critical care, and occupational health.<\/p>\n
From there she became a school nurse, but when the position was to be eliminated a few years after the economic downturn of 2008, she began looking for other job opportunities. A position as a care manager at the Veteran\u2019s Administration (VA) appealed to her, and she moved into that role in 2011.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
At the VA, Stearley worked with a mentor for whom she has great respect. \u201cShe\u2019s a great mentor and was a great fit for me. After I\u2019d been there for a couple of years, she said I should apply for her job when she retired, but I would need a bachelor\u2019s degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was easier said than done. Stearley lives in rural Arizona, where universities are long distances away. She researched both online and traditional schools, sorting through programs and costs. In the midst of this research, someone told her about a scholarship program for nurses offered by the VA, which required her to have a letter of acceptance in hand in order to apply.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy then, I\u2019d done the research, and I was interested in Capella,\u201d she says. \u201cCapella was outstanding during the application process. They really helped me out, going way above and beyond.\u201d In 2013, 32 years after getting her associate\u2019s, she was awarded the scholarship and started in Capella\u2019s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
All the life challenges that had prevented her from going back to school earlier were still in play. \u201cI was working 50-60 hours a week and going to school full-time. It was challenging.\u201d How did she manage? \u201cI looked at the big picture and planned. Or I\u2019d work ahead over holiday weekends, that sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
She admits it was stressful. \u201cTo be honest, I complained a lot in that year and a half. I have four grandkids, and it was hard to take time away from them for schoolwork.\u201d But her efforts not only paid off with a degree, she found her grandkids learned something from her, too. As an encouragement to entice her younger sister to go to school one said, \u201cGrandma\u2019s old and she has to go to school.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When asked which competencies Stearley learned in her program were transferable to her work, she says, \u201c100% of what I learned, I use all the time.\u201d Her work at the VA dovetailed with what she was learning, whether about general nursing, research and statistics, the problem of influenza, or conditions related to Agent Orange. \u201cI was able to use relevant information from coursework to make me a better nurse for the VA.\u201d<\/p>\n
While still in school, Stearley moved into a supervisory role. She finished her BSN program in March 2015, and in the summer of that year, was promoted to assistant manager. What does the future hold? \u201cMaybe I will become a manager in the few years before I retire. I\u2019d like to get a master\u2019s, but I plan on retiring in 5-6 years, while I\u2019m still young and healthy enough to enjoy it.\u201d She notes that part of her wish for a master\u2019s degree is due to the experience she had at Capella. \u201cI miss school now\u2014the discussions, the challenges,\u201d she says. \u201cThe instructors are approachable, and they really understand the stresses we\u2019re all under.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her advice for potential students of all ages: \u201cI wish I\u2019d pursued my BSN earlier. Potential students should be unafraid to go ahead and take that leap. Life will continue no matter what. You\u2019re not too old. What I learned at Capella made me a better nurse, and has had a positive impact on my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Learn more about Capella\u2019s <\/em>Bachelor\u2019s in Nursing<\/em><\/a> degree program. <\/em><\/p>\n