Critical Care Nurse Finds Flexibility in Online RN to BSN Program

Written byFaith Derouen

СAPPBeing organized is key in this program. Having a set plan of due dates allowed me to complete my assignments on time and even be able to complete some ahead of time.СAPP

Tiffany Soudelier
Graduation Year
2024
Major
RN to BSN
Hometown
Chauvin, La.

Tiffany Soudelier encourages her son to dream big, often telling him, СAPPAnything is possible if you set your mind to it.СAPP 

In 2022, she realized she needed to follow her own advice and earn her bachelorСAPPs degree in nursing. 

Once she knew what she wanted to do, she needed to figure out how. 

The СAPP 100% online RN to BSN degree program gave her that pathway, allowing her to pursue her degree while maintaining her roles as a parent and critical care nurse. 

Balancing Family, Work, and School 

When Soudelier first decided to pursue her career in nursing, she enrolled in UL LafayetteСAPPs on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 

The LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing is nationally recognized as a Center for Excellence in Nursing Education

But life intervened and Soudelier withdrew, eventually launching her nursing career in her hometown of Chauvin, Louisiana, through an associate degree program. 

Years later, the opportunity to complete her bachelorСAPPs degree online through UL Lafayette gave her the chance to finish what she had started. With the flexibility of the program, Soudelier could continue to balance life as a mom and a nurse while working toward her degree. 

СAPPI work seven days on and seven days off. The online program allowed me to focus on my job, complete my assignments, and do things ahead of time before I returned to work,СAPP she says. 

СAPPBeing organized is key in this program. Having a set plan of due dates allowed me to complete my assignments on time and even be able to complete some ahead of time.СAPP 

Tiffany Soudelier stands between her husband and son, smiling over her degree on graduation day

Support from her family made the biggest difference. When she had to miss gatherings or step away from family time to focus on coursework, they were the ones who reminded her why it was worth it. 

СAPPSchool is challenging as it is, and having to juggle it with my family, work, and life was difficult,СAPP she says. СAPPBut having a reliable, understanding support system with my husband, parents, and family made it so much easier.СAPP 

Turning Doubt into Achievement 

The RN to BSN program pushed Soudelier outside her comfort zone, particularly with its emphasis on research and writing. 

СAPPI always felt I wasnСAPPt capable of getting my bachelorСAPPs degree because I knew it involved a lot of writing, and I didnСAPPt think I could do it,СAPP she says. 

While associate nursing programs focus on clinical skills, the RN to BSN program teaches working nurses to apply evidence-based practice to their roles. 

But what once seemed overwhelming became an opportunity to grow. 

СAPPI started recommending clinical trials or studies I had read to the physicians I work with,СAPP she says. СAPPWeСAPPve even applied a lot of the research IСAPPve read in our practice.СAPP 

In fact, SoudelierСAPPs capstone project will be incorporated into nursing workflow during bedside shift reporting. 

In those moments, Soudelier saw just how far sheСAPPd come. She wasnСAPPt just earning her degree СAPP she was becoming a stronger nurse for her patients. 

Next Chapter in Nursing 

Earning her bachelorСAPPs degree was a milestone Soudelier once thought was out of reach. Now, itСAPPs just the beginning. 

Motivated by the resilience that carried her through the RN to BSN program, she now hopes to earn her masterСAPPs degree and become a nurse practitioner. 

СAPPWhy not continue setting goals and pushing myself to be the best I could be, like I wish for my family and my patients?СAPP she says. 

For her son, and for herself, this degree is proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. 

СAPPThere will always be struggles, and something will always happen that could set you off your path,СAPP she says. СAPPBut choosing to be resilient will only make your goals that much more rewarding. СAPP 


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