Page 12 - Back-To-School-10-19-2017

CINDY ESTES

DNP GRADUATE

Ten years into her nursing career, Cindy Estes recognized that
the healthcare landscape around her was changing. An associate
degree-prepared nurse with experience at a state psychiatric
hospital and a children’s hospital, Cindy was motivated to further her
education as she moved away from the hospital and into administration
with a prison health company. In 2005, she earned a bachelor’s degree in
healthcare administration, followed by a master’s in the same field of study.

“Eventually, I missed hospital-based nursing,” says Cindy, who has
lived in Virginia since her early days as a nurse. She applied to Sentara
Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and joined the hospital as its clinical
manager in 2006. Because her bachelor’s degree was not in nursing,
Cindy went back to school once again to earn the BSN and MSN online. In
2010, Cindy moved to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, taking the helm
as director of patient care services.
Next Goal: Doctor of Nursing Practice

“After I completed the MSN, I was certain I was absolutely done with
school,” Cindy admits. “But as I grew in my role at Sentara, I realized
there are still many things I wanted to learn. I decided not to shut that door
quite yet.” With a wide range of clinical experiences—from oversight of
medical oncology to inpatient rehabilitation, from intensive care to medical/
surgical—Cindy sought a doctorate that would augment her background.
“The idea of a doctorate was driven by a desire to learn. I love where I work
and there are tremendous growth opportunities, so the reason I wanted a
doctorate wasn’t to change jobs. It was to increase my knowledge, support
my staff the best way possible and be a better professional.”

Referred to American Sentinel University

Cindy was referred to American Sentinel by several colleagues who were
pursuing BSN and MSN degrees. She liked the structure and curriculum of
the DNP, Executive Leadership, and decided to take the leap in October
2014. “It was definitely one of the best, most challenging things I’ve done in
my life,” she says. “I realized when I started that I wasn’t prepared to think
differently. This program is built for working students, and challenges you
to push yourself and consider many different perspectives.”

www.americansentinel.edu

12 | Transforming Healthcare Through Education