Q: Hello, Mike. Thank you for speaking with us. To get things started, can you please share why you wanted to become a nurse?

A: Glad to be here! I wanted to become a nurse so I could help people. I wanted to provide the best quality of care that I could to each patient I encounter.

Q: Which graduate program are you currently completing at Kent State College of Nursing?

A: I am currently finishing my Master of Science in Nursing in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, and I will graduate in May 2020.

Q: What were your top reasons for pursuing your master’s degree?

A: First, I want to help people in their overall mental and physical health in the medical setting. Second, I would like to work as a nurse in a psychiatric setting, especially on a unit caring for children.

Q: Why was becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner important to you?

A: Obtaining my advanced degree is important to me because I want to reach my fullest potential and help more people.

Q: What made Kent State’s graduate program more desirable than other schools?

A: Kent State has a very reputable and highly rated nursing program and I wanted to be part of that legacy. Additionally, Kent State is closer to home and more affordable, thus making it the best choice for me.

Q: What are you enjoying most about your graduate program?

A: I am enjoying my clinical rotations because they help me apply what I’ve learned in each of my classes while also teaching me new ways to approach different situations. I have especially enjoyed my clinical rotation this semester with a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is very knowledgeable, personable and I have learned a lot from her this semester.

Q: How do you manage both working and being a Kent State graduate student?

A: In order to both work and go to school, I have had to utilize effective time-management skills. I normally work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Saturday. In addition to work, I have clinicals on Wednesday and Friday. Having a busy schedule has led me to become very organized and disciplined so I use my time in an effective manner.

Q: Where are you currently working and what does your role involve?

A: I currently work as a nurse at Akron Children’s Hospital’s in-patient behavioral health unit and also as a nurse at Travco Behavioral Health which is an out-patient substance abuse facility.

Q: How are you applying the lessons you are learning in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program in your practice?

A: I use the lessons and experiences to ensure I am providing the best care I can to my patients. Applying the lessons to my current roles is helping make me a better healthcare professional.

Q: What advice do you have for other nurses considering getting an advanced nursing degree?

A: I advise my friends who are nurses to get a year or two of experience in the nursing field. This helps provide you with a solid base of experience that textbooks might not teach. Spending time as a bedside nurse also provides you with a true feel for the profession so that you can make an educated and informed decision about which program you want to pursue when you are ready to come back to school.

Q: What would you like to say to people considering coming back to school at Kent State University College of Nursing?

A: Coming back to Kent State University for my master’s degree was the best decision I could have made. I have learned so much from this program. The close-knit community within the college has also made it easy to receive help from the faculty or staff whenever I have needed it.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your Kent State graduate student experience?

A: My graduate experience at Kent State has been great! Up to this point, the best experiences have centered around meeting new people, including faculty, staff, fellow students, and the patients we interact with during clinical rotations. I have been able to form bonds with each individual person. My clinicals have provided me with a wealth of knowledge, and I know Kent State University College of Nursing has provided me with a great base for the start of my current and future nursing career.

Thank you again, Mike, for taking the time to share your experiences with us. To find out more about the various graduate programs offered at Kent State University College of Nursing, please take a moment to fill out the short form below.

Learn more:

To learn more about Kent State University College of Nursing’s master’s programs, please visit: http://www.kent.edu/node/987101

To view the Kent State University College of Nursing Graduate Programs Guidebook, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/42ty62nm