New career as a nurse

The School of Nursing welcomed 67 new students to the Accelerated BSN program in Jackson last month. Accelerated BSN programs are made for students who decide to become a nurse after completing a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This year's class includes thirteen former teachers that chose UMMC SON as their school to start their new nursing careers. Common first degrees seen in the program through the years have been sciences like kinesiology, chemistry, and biology.

Occasionally, an art major, former attorney, or sports trainer are admitted in to the program. However, the large number of former educators was something different and special.

"It’s exciting to have so many former teachers, with over 102 combined years of teaching experience, joining us in the Accelerated program," said Dr. Chelsey Andries, assistant professor and director of the Accelerated BSN program. "These students are compassionate, motivated, and ready to serve the public in a different capacity. They bring a wealth of knowledge, life experiences, and fun stories to the classroom, and I can’t wait to see the impact they make in many patients’ lives."

These former educators and now nursing students had careers teaching in elementary, middle, and high schools ranging from two to 13 years. Deciding to leave one profession for another did not come easy.

One such student explained it was more than just leaving one for another. “I have to have a career where I am in service and making a difference," said SaDava Bolds. "Nursing aligns with who I am at my core. [It] will allow me the opportunity to use my gifts of teaching, managing, and leading. I plan to find my niche in the medical industry and thrive!”

As a former music teacher, Melody Kneezel talked about what really matters. She related, “I have learned that there is so much to do right within reach, and people do not have to see it for it to matter. In fact, most of the things that matter the most are very small. Nursing is like that. It is small, and it is often unseen.”

How does this correlate with wanting to become a nurse? Kneezel further explained, “Nursing is a beautiful practice of allowing oneself to be small for the sake of others' needs. While offering dignity and care to all people at their most vulnerable, nurses can cling to the truth of their value, regardless of whether or not it comes with accolades or fanfare.“

Alison Martin, another of the Accelerated BSN class, taught journalism, graphic design, and middle and high school math. “It was time for something new,” said Martin. She has three boys and has been to many doctors appointments where other nurses have been educators. “I had wonderful, caring nurses take care of me during my most vulnerable times, and I want to be that for someone else.”

Why did these students choose UMMC’s accelerated program? The resounding theme from all was the length of the program.

“I chose UMMC because of it's reputation of turning out great medical professionals," touted Martin. The fact that I qualified for the one-year accelerated program was important because I'll only be out an income for one year.”

Bolds agrees that length of the program was the only way she could make her dream of becoming a nurse come true.

What are some of the things that make the program great?

Kneezel enjoys her classmates and the diversity of degrees and skillsets each of them brings to the classroom. She knows classmates will turn into lifelong friends.

Bolds does not stray from a challenge and this challenge has its perks. “My week is so stressful from constantly thinking about studying," said Bolds. "But when I made a 100 on a quiz, it was all worth it!”

Because of the 12-month timeline, the Accelerated BSN program is fast-paced, challenging and rewarding. Three weeks into the program faculty bring students into the clinical setting for their first real patient experience.

Martin summed it up best when she stated, “We learned wound care in lab on Wednesday and got to help our nurse faculty [member] change dressings on a hospital patient Thursday! Thinking about clinical ahead of time was scary, but when it was over and we'd made our patients' lives a little better, the experience definitely got me excited about doing it again.”

The program on the Jackson campus begins in January each year with graduation in December. At the Oxford Instructional Site at the South Oxford Campus, the program begins in August with graduation in July. For more information about the Accelerated BSN program at either site or the required prerequisites, visit our Contact Us webpage.