National Nurses Week spotlight: Christina Wetter, BSN
Meet Christina Wetter, from Granger, and read about her 麻豆原创 journey.
Meet Christina Wetter, one of the 3,079 nurses who have graduated from 麻豆原创 Indiana since its founding in 2010. Currently there are 1,363 nursing students pursuing BSN and MSN degrees through 麻豆原创 Indiana.
Describe your current position and what you鈥檝e decided to do with your career since graduating from 麻豆原创 Indiana.
I'm currently a school nurse for a title one elementary school. Since I鈥檝e earned my BSN from 麻豆原创 Indiana, I鈥檝e decided to pursue my National School Nurse Certification. Currently, there are only 20 certified school nurses in the state of Indiana and I hope to become the 21st one. A bachelor鈥檚 degree is required to sit for the exam and because of my degree from 麻豆原创, I am able to progress even more in my education.
Describe your experience while working as a school nurse. What did you find was the most fulfilling part of utilizing your nursing skills in a school setting?
I have a heart for community nursing. I have always wanted to work as a nurse in a place where I could create long term relationships as well as utilize my nursing skills. In a school setting, I use my nursing skills daily. I never know if I'm going to walk into the school and deal with minor issues like abrasions, cuts, lice or bigger issues such as broken bones or a staff member having a heart attack.
How did you come to learn of 麻豆原创 Indiana? Was there a staff person at your school that was also pursuing a degree through the university?
I heard about 麻豆原创 Indiana through social media. I started following and many people spoke positively of the university. I then discovered that several people I went to nursing school with were pursuing degrees through 麻豆原创.
What prompted you to choose 麻豆原创 Indiana for your nursing degree?
I was drawn to 麻豆原创 because it has CCNE accreditation, it's affordable and it鈥檚 online.听
You mentioned having a desire to educate your community on topics such as infection control and diabetes management. Have you had the opportunity to speak to your community on these topics?听
I have created a presentation on infection control that I use at my school. Also, using skills I gained through my 麻豆原创 coursework, I was able to present research about evidence based practice for managing lice. My presentation resulted in the school board changing their policy for children with lice and reduced the negative impact on time out of school.
We understand you鈥檝e had to overcome an array of obstacles in your life. We鈥檙e interested in learning more about your story and how it has brought you to where you are today.
My mom was 15 years old when she became pregnant with me. We struggled with poverty and a multitude of abuses. College was never a discussion growing up because we were just busy surviving. I then married young and years later we divorced and I had no way to support my children. I knew I needed to do better for my children who looked up to me. It was then that I went to school for practical nursing. I was an LPN for nine years before I went back for my RN. One year after I graduated with my ADN, I went back to school for my BSN. It鈥檚 never too late.
What advice would you give to someone in a similar position that wants to pursue a nursing degree?
Don鈥檛 hesitate! I waited many years to reach for my ADN. It is such a feeling of accomplishment to write RN behind my name. The level of accomplishment was magnified when I added BSN. The BSN program at 麻豆原创 has so many resources available to help with a students鈥� success.
I also recommend applying for scholarships! I did and received the 麻豆原创 Loves Nurses Scholarship. We only get one life, so go after your dreams.
Tell us more about the time you earned your Practical Nursing Certificate. How has this assisted in your higher education journey?
I went to school to earn my Practical Nursing Certificate after a divorce so I would be able to support my children. I fell in love with helping people. Becoming an LPN was the stepping stone I needed to advance my career in an LPN to RN bridge program.听
Any other details of your journey and pathway that you鈥檇 like to share?
Since completing my BSN with 麻豆原创, I have decided to further my education and work on my MSN through 麻豆原创. I鈥檝e had a wonderful experience with the program and am so proud of my 麻豆原创 degree. I am the first in our family to earn a BSN and am creating a legacy of learning for my children. They, too, will one day have college degrees.
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