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Finding American Sentinel University
Star decided that a bachelor’s degree was her next step. “With the
changes in healthcare, I knew that I couldn’t get the type of advanced
position I wanted without a BSN,” Star says. Her employer, Geisinger,
is very supportive of education and encouraged her to explore some of
its educational partners. “American Sentinel came highly recommended
by several friends at work, and I liked everything I saw when I did my own
research.” In 2012, Star enrolled in the BSN program.
Making it happen
No stranger to hard work, Star continued her job with Geisinger Life,
doing homework anytime she wasn’t at work. “My manager supported
me 110% and my husband was right there by my side, proofing my papers,
helping me in ever way he could,” she says. Two years later in September
2014, Star graduated with the BSN—summa cum laude. And as luck
would have it, a job at Geisinger Medical Center opened up just a few
months later. “I applied and got the job,” says Star, who is now the
adult trauma program coordinator. Star oversees a staff of trauma case
managers, registrars and data integration specialists. The challenge of
learning her new role is both fun and rewarding. “These jobs don’t stay
open for long. I got very lucky, and although I have great experience, I
know that I wouldn’t have gotten the job without the BSN.” Star continues
to fly with Life Flight as a critical care nurse in a flex role, about once
every six weeks.
Education is truly a family affair
Now that Star has the BSN under her belt, it is her husband’s turn to go
to school. “He’s getting his bachelor’s in healthcare management,” Star
says. “It isn’t easy to go back to school as an adult, but we both feel
it’s important. If you want to make a change, education is the way to do it.
And with where healthcare is going, advanced degrees are important.”
www.americansentinel.edu
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