When life is already choc full with work, family, and responsibilities, it takes courage to add graduate school to the mix. For Ashley Earnest from Berry, Alabama, that leap of faith became one of the best decisions she’s ever made.
As a busy mom and wife, she needed a program that fit her life, not the other way around. “When I decided to go back to school to further my education and my career, I started looking around at schools that offered online programs,” she said. “Nothing ever seemed to fit what I was looking for.”
After reading UNA’s mission statement, exploring the president’s message, and researching the faculty, she knew she’d found the right place. “The FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) program checked every box I had: it was online, the timeline from start to finish… was realistic, it was affordable, [and] the campus was also within driving distance from where I live.”
A Supportive Community- Even Online
What’s made the most significant impact on Ashley so far? She explains that it’s been the people. “The best part of my UNA experience has been the interaction with the faculty and their support,” she said. “That sense of family and that ‘we’re all in this together’ means so much.”
Despite being in an online program, she’s never felt disconnected. “The instructors I have had the pleasure of working with over the past two years have been amazing. They are always there to answer any question you may have, as well as give you the needed support and confidence to really believe in yourself. They really are truly invested in you as a person. They do not make you feel like you are just a student or an ID number. They truly try [to] get to know you and that makes a world of difference, especially in an online program.
Preparing to Give Back
Ashley’s goal after graduation is simple yet powerful: to serve her community. “I come from a very small rural town,” she explained. “There is only one small clinic, and the nearest hospital is 30 minutes away, so I decided to further my education so I can invest in individuals’ care as a whole and really help them take charge of their health.
UNA’s FNP program has given her both the knowledge and the confidence to make that vision a reality. “From classes and patient scenarios to clinical experiences… [UNA] really [makes] sure you get as much hands-on experience as possible before you graduate.
Words of Encouragement
To anyone considering UNA for their next step, Ashley’s message is clear: “Do it! You will not regret it! Take that leap and do not be scared. The staff at UNA truly has your best interest at heart and will genuinely try and help you achieve your goals. It is honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself
Ashley graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree this past December, and has already made a difference in the lives of others.
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