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SUSAN BOOKSHA,
MSN, NURSING
EDUCATION
SPECIALIZATION
New Jersey Palliative Care Nurse Graduates with
MSN, Eyes DNP
When Susan Booksha graduated high school, she followed her heart into
healthcare—something she’d dreamed of doing since she was a little girl.
“There was never another career I wanted to do more than nursing,”
says Susan, a New Jersey native. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse
in 1980 and worked in the hospital, nursing home and a physical therapy
settings. Years later, after raising children and enjoying her LPN career, a
friend—a Registered Nurse—suggested that she apply for an open position
at her employer, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Susan was hired in
2002 and earned an Associate Degree of Nursing in 2004, a contingency
of her getting the job.
Following her passion
At AtlantiCare, Susan started out in the medical/surgical area working with
acute care patients but got into hospice care in 2006. “I have a heart for
end-of-life care,” she says. “I spent eight years in that role and loved it.”
She applauds AtlantiCare for its support of nurses, which led her to pursue
the BSN in 2013. “This is an education-oriented place that promotes
from within. They’ve always encouraged my efforts to better myself.”
Time for the MSN
In 2014, Susan’s boss—who started out as a unit secretary at AtlantiCare
and worked her way up to management—proposed a deal. “She said she
would get her doctorate if I got my master’s,” recalls Susan. “The MSN
was on my mind because of the career advancement opportunities it
would give me. People take you seriously when they see those three
letters behind your name.”
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8 | Transforming Healthcare Through Education