Student Profiles and Case Studies

Julie

"I chose UW Oshkosh for my graduate work because I saw the passion for providing outstanding nursing education in the leadership faculty when I was enrolled in UW Oshkosh's Accelerated Online Nursing program. I was impressed with the high standards set for the program. I also appreciate how willing UWO is to accommodate part-time students like myself who are working almost full time while attending school. Classes are scheduled on only one or two days per week, which makes completing the course of study much more feasible. "

Kassie

Kassie Grey
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Sigma Theta Tau, Oshkosh Student Nursing Association, American Red Cross Service Group
Hometown: Mercer

"The environment that the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing has created is one of comfort and challenge.

I am impressed with the faculty and their true passion for teaching. They consistently encourage open communication and are always willing to help. Because the core nursing classes are taken with your graduating class, limitless support is also offered through your peers, who after a few semesters are truly a support system.

Another major advantage of UW Oshkosh's College of Nursing is the technology. In the skills lab and the simulation lab, real life scenarios are set up for students, where simulated models can talk, breathe and perform other vital functions. We are faced with an emergency and have to make a life or death decision, without the real consequence.

The success rates from the College of Nursing are high for a reason; it's an amazing program. You will never work as hard, learn as much and feel as empowered as you do progressing through the nursing program."

Scott

Scott Revoir
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Hometown: Kimberly

“Nursing has been a lifelong dream/passion of mine. I always wished I would have pursued nursing earlier in life.

The nursing program is so interesting to me. I am going to miss the classes when I graduate. I find the professors extremely knowledgeable and nurturing. They all know how rigorous the nursing program is, and they are very considerate of our struggles.”

Read the full story in the latest edition of Engage.

Abbie

Abbie Kunde
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nurse Educator
Hometown: Oshkosh

"My undergraduate experience at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing was amazing and I found myself, even at that time, contemplating returning to complete my master’s degree at UW Oshkosh. After four years of working, I felt the time was right to return and begin the master’s program for nursing education.

Although I still reside in Oshkosh, this factor had little to do with my decision to again attend UW Oshkosh. Mainly my outstanding experience while completing my baccalaureate degree and my love for the College of Nursing was what brought me back. I am fortunate to again learn from the instructors who taught me previously in the undergraduate program, but this time on a whole new level.

Currently, I am a full-time student in the UW Oshkosh MSN – Nurse Educator Program. While it is a challenge, I know that I will be well prepared when I finish and that there will be many rewards."

Abby

Abby Xiong

"Nursing was always a career I wish I had pursued. UW Oshkosh’s Accelerated Online Bachelor's to BSN Program gave me the opportunity to accomplish my goal of becoming a nurse. As a second-degree student, the program fit perfectly into my lifestyle. The program is unique in the fact that it is accelerated, the theory classes are offered online and the clinical proportion is precepted; this allows for students to live in other cities or states while earning their BSN. 

The professors are always willing to give guidance and provide feedback. The clinical experience was amazing. I learned so much during my clinical rotations because I was instructed one-on-one by a nurse. The program made me work hard, taught me self-motivation and left me surprised with my own ability to achieve a BSN within the time frame provided."

Sally

Sally Kalscheur
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Oshkosh Student Nursing Association
Hometown: Oregon

"With its honorable reputation, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s College of Nursing assures that I will graduate with the imperative knowledge and advanced skills necessary to become a successful registered nurse.

The professors and other staff offer me the one-on-one interaction I need, providing me with immediate feedback and guidance to perfect each skill/procedure. The skills lab and simulation lab are full of resources and models that allow us to practice in real life situations with the latest healthcare technology. The faculty are so involved and love what they do that it is hard to not to enjoy the entire atmosphere of the College of Nursing.

As I continue on through my next few years, I look forward to the career possibilities I will have and the lives I will influence."

Dawn

"My husband served in the 1991 Gulf War and is a disabled veteran. He’s spent a lot of time in hospitals, and I’ve learned a lot about hospital care from assisting him. My goal is to be a critical care nurse in an intensive care unit, where I’ll have hands-on time with patients.

Having been away from school for 25 years, I was concerned about going to college. Would I be smart enough? Would I still be able to learn? The nursing program at UW Oshkosh has taught me about myself and helped me build my confidence to know that I can do this."

Lynn

A North Dakota resident, Lynn Molzahn dreamed of obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and becoming a registered nurse. In May 2008, Lynn was admitted to UW Oshkosh’s Accelerated Online Bachelor’s to BSN Nursing Program.  

With Lynn residing in a relatively isolated area of the country, the College of Nursing accelerated program staff was faced with the challenges of securing a clinical site, coordinating clinical rotations, assuring timely communication with the North Dakota State Board of Nursing and orientating adjunct faculty to this unique nursing program.

The search for clinical sites began in Fargo, where Lynn resided with his wife. Although Lynn worked as a CNA at one of the main health systems in Fargo, they were unable to accommodate him for his clinical rotations while in the accelerated BSN program, as were other local hospitals in Fargo. Lynn remained patient, never expressing doubt or concern, an attribute to his military background.

Seeking a site for his clinical rotation, Lynn offered to relocate to Bismarck, North Dakota. Although it was 200 miles away, he and his wife were willing to make it work if a site could be arranged. Upon speaking with with the nurse educator at a hospital in Bismarck, Lynn was approved to complete his first precepted clinical, with commitment to further clinicals hinging upon how well the first clinical proceeded. He was set to begin clinicals as scheduled with the rest of the May 2008 cohort.

An MSN-prepared nurse, Lynn’s unit manager, Courtney, agreed to serve as an adjunct clinical instructor as well as the liaison between the accelerated BSN program and the hospital. Lynn’s first clinical went well, and he remained at the hospital to complete clinicals in obstetrics, pediatrics, diabetic education and wound care. For his last clinical experience, Lynn chose to work in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Upon completion of the program, Lynn planned to return to Fargo. Instead, in another exciting turn of events, he was offered and accepted a staff RN position in the ICU where he completed his clinical synthesis.