1. Why did you land on DNP vs. another graduate degree?

There were several reasons I decided to pursue my DNP versus other degrees, particularly a master’s degree. The biggest reason for me being, I never wanted to limit my future career opportunities because of the degree I held. By obtaining my DNP, I believe I will be better equipped to pursue career opportunities in leadership, education, and to serve those in my community at the highest level.

2. What experiences affected your decision to become a DNP-prepared nurse?

At the start of my registered nurse career, I had the opportunity to work with several amazing nurse practitioners. They were incredibly knowledgeable and played a vital role on the multidisciplinary care team. They demonstrated the importance of taking evidence-based practice research and applying it to achieve comprehensive, patient-centered care. I was fortunate to have nurse practitioners I worked with encourage me to truly understand “the why” behind the patient care being implemented. Ultimately, I wanted to be as prepared as possible to start my career as a nurse practitioner, so that I could offer that same level of care to my future patients.

3. What surprised you most about going back to school?

There were quite a few surprises about going back to school. Prior to starting the DNP program, I was anxious about written coursework and whether I would be able to complete it at the graduate level. I was provided with multiple resources and references to guide my writing with clear expectations for each assignment. It was initially one of the biggest reasons I was hesitant to start the DNP program, which I am relieved to say was an unnecessary worry of mine.

4. What has your overall experience been like as a student in the online DNP program?

My overall experience as a student in Baylor’s online DNP program has been very positive. When I started the DNP program, I was newer to Texas and didn’t have many connections for possible clinical sites to meet clinical hour requirements. I have been very fortunate to have the clinical placement team at Baylor assist me in finding clinical preceptors who I’ve learned so much from while building connections for the future.

5. What are some examples of support you’ve received at Baylor?

The student success coaches at Baylor have been so helpful in a number of ways. They have really supported me by ensuring all clearances are met for clinical which can be overwhelming when starting your first rotation. Another example is when starting a previous term, I wasn’t doing as well in a class as I would’ve liked. I reached out to my student success coach, set up a phone call, and she helped guide me through actions I could take to improve while letting me talk through some of my concerns.

The professors and adjunct faculty for each course have also been super supportive and easy to approach with questions. They have always been more than happy to hop on Zoom or a phone call to discuss a class. I appreciate the way they engage with students through course announcements and always make it clear they are here to help us succeed.