Local emergency room nurse credits University's RN to BSN program with making her a ‘better-prepared nurse’

杰西卡·威尔金森 lauds the supportive culture of the online nursing program at BGSU

作者:Laren Kowalczyk '07

As an emergency room nurse, 杰西卡·威尔金森 often encounters people on their worst days. 

She does her best to offer patients reassurance and a sense of calm, whether that means holding their hand or placing a gentle touch on their shoulder.

“我想让他们知道我能做到, and we’re doing our best to fix whatever brought them to the ER 在 first place,威尔金森说. “我们的工作, 首先也是最重要的, 是为了拯救人们的生命, 但我们不能忘记，这种关怀需要爱.”

威尔金森, 32, 在医疗保健行业工作了十多年, 首先是紧急医疗技术员, then as a licensed practical nurse and now as a registered nurse 在 Wood County Hospital emergency room.

为了发展事业，威尔金森正在追求 RN到BSN的程度 在 护理学院 鲍灵格林州立大学. The 100% online degree program is flexible and convenient to meet the needs of working nurses like 威尔金森.

成功的工具

威尔金森 was initially skeptical of completing her degree online but said professors 在 program quickly quelled her fears.

Dr. 劳拉Wilken, 临床助理教授和BSN项目协调员的注册护士, 她和她的团队成员说, who were all nontraditional students at one point during their educational journeys, 优先考虑学生支持. They know the challenges of working full time while balancing school and outside responsibilities.

“That lived experience is one of the things that makes our program unique because we can relate to where the students are,威尔肯说. “我们还记得开始攻读BSN学位的感觉. We really pride ourselves on our ability to give back to the students either what was given to us or what it is we wished we had.”

威尔金森 said this is the first time in her college career she’s maintained a 4.0 GPA, which she attributes to the support and attentiveness of her professors. Another benefit of the program has been the relationships she’s formed with her classmates.

“You don’t think you’re going to make those connections in an online program, 但是你知道,威尔金森说. “我很高兴我选择了波士顿州立大学.”

虽然不是这个项目的要求, 威尔金森 began serving as a preceptor 在 Wood County Hospital ER 在 fall and is mentoring a BGSU nursing student this semester. 她说，这个角色让她看到了对教学的热情.

“我喜欢，”她说. “It allows me to share what I’m learning in my classes with the student and help them better understand why we do certain things. I have even considered applying to be a clinical instructor for BGSU because I have enjoyed teaching and this program so much.”

“有所准备护士”

当威尔金森开始她的急救医生生涯时, she drove an ambulance for Mercy 健康 Life Flight and is hopeful of returning to Life Flight someday. 她说她还需要一年的急诊室工作经验才能获得资格, 完成BSN学位将提供额外的优势.

威尔金森 is on track to graduate in Spring 2023 and plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing education 在 future.

“When they say a BSN makes you a better-prepared nurse, it really does,威尔金森说. “As an RN, I know the job's clinical aspects and how to start an IV and take blood pressure. 这个学位项目让我明白了“为什么”.' I can explain to patients why these tests are needed or why things are being done for their condition. 它真的对你有帮助.”

Wilken has been alongside 威尔金森 throughout her journey 在 program as her instructor and mentor.

“One of the things I love about being a teacher in this setting is the passion, 这些护士的热情和兴奋,威尔肯说. “Jessica is one of those nurses who has embodied the spirit and value of what it means to be a BSN-prepared nurse. 

“I, 以及其他从注册护士到BSN的教职员工, have a deep passion for inspiring nurses to want to pursue continuing education, 改善病人的治疗效果，并作为其他护士的导师. 我已经在杰西卡身上看到了这些特质, 这对我们的节目是一种赞美, our amazing faculty members and the University to know that we’re making a difference in her life and the lives of the patients she cares for.”