Testimonials: Success Stories

Cindy Wise, RN, MSN, OCN
I attended a diploma, Associate in Science program in 1989. If not for this program, I don't think I would be a nurse. I worked throughout nursing school as a CNA and earned a scholarship for this two year program. After graduation, I worked full time in medical surgical and then after two years became an oncology nurse, which is a career I love.

After about five years I decided I wanted to take on a managerial role. I felt that I could positively impact the quality of care for my patients and the work environment for my peers in this role. I loved this role but felt that I needed further education regarding management skills. I returned to a BSN completion program. It was great and really empowered me to grow along with a supportive administrative team. However, I really enjoyed teaching and this was my favorite part of my job. I decided I could further impact quality of health care by returning again to school and obtaining my masters. I also transitioned to a new role as a nurse educator. I could turn out masses of great nurses this way!

After two years, I really missed oncology and transitioned to a new role as a cancer outreach specialist. Now I get to do both: teach patients and impact my peers full time in an educator role. Returning to school was the best investment in myself and has allowed me to spread my wings and follow my heart in nursing!

Cindy Wise, RN, MSN, OCN
Cancer Outreach Specialist
George Batte Cancer Center
NorthEast Medical Center
200 Medical Park Drive
Suite 145
Concord, NC 20825
(704) 783-2392 Office
(704) 783-0431 Pager
cwise@northeastmedical.org


Eileene Shake, RN, BSN, BA, MSN
The additional education that I received from Queens University of Charlotte helped me to become a visionary leader and to explore the many career opportunities available to registered nurses with Bachelors Degrees and Masters Degrees. I have a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, a Bachelors of Art in Organizational Communication, and a Masters Degree in Nursing with a focus in Health Care Systems Management. Getting a higher education in nursing has enabled me to have a positive impact on the delivery of health care. I have been appointed to three committees: 1) The Health and Human Services Committee in Mecklenburg County by the county commissioners, 2) The nursing shortage task force created by Congresswoman Sue Myrick and, 3) The Status of Seniors Initiative Steering Committee for the Executive Advisory Board in Mecklenburg County.

I presently have a position working with Hall Financial Group, Inc. My title is Senior Account Manger/Insurance Nurse Consultant. I assist companies with analyzing and selecting health care plans and other employee benefits. I also follow the new legislative policies that are constantly being implemented that affect health insurance and human resource issues. It is very rewarding to meet with companies and create presentations, which share information on health plans for their employees. I am also pursuing career opportunities to work as a lobbyist for organizations in health care. The smartest decision that I made was to pursue advanced degrees in nursing.

Eileene Shake, RN, BSN, BA, MSN
eshake@carolina.rr.com

Diane Moss, RN, BSN
I was working in a Critical Care Unit and Emergency Department of a busy North Carolina hospital, but was unfulfilled. I wanted to move on in my nursing career. I had an Associates degree (ADN) and knew that if I wanted to advance my career, I would have to do so by furthering my educational qualifications. But what was available, as well as affordable? What courses, if any, could be obtained online so as not to have to travel all over the state? These were questions that plagued me for two years as I sought the answers to my dilemma. There was no readily accessible information that could help me pull all these pieces together. I eventually became so frustrated that I gave up!

But that was when "Divine Providence" intervened. I was thumbing through a brochure from the local community college to see what computer classes they were offering through Continuing Ed when I happened upon an advertisement for an RN-to-BSN program which was being offered through the University of North Carolina at Pembroke as an outreach program. On a whim, I called and spoke to the Admissions Counselor. She told me about the program with such genuine enthusiasm and warmth that I just had to meet her! I did so that very day! And that was the beginning of three years that would open my eyes, challenge my comfort zone, make me think, and dare me to consider new possibilities. It also gave me many sleepless nights studying for tests and writing papers, but it taught me the meaning of vision. It taught me to think of nursing in a whole new perspective and it gave me the skills to be a leader.

After completing this wonderfully challenging educational experience, I branched out into clinical research trials and had a taste of corporate American, but my love of "true" nursing called me back. I am now a Clinical Nurse Educator and enjoying myself enormously. I am able to share technical expertise and mentorship support with the new generation of nurses as they pursue their careers in Nursing. I urge anyone reading this to seriously consider pursuing your goal of increasing your education in nursing. It will change your life forever!

Diane Moss, RN, BSN
pedymoss@carolina.net