Anna Montague was working as a clinical nurse educator in Merriam, Kansas, when she began to think about continuing her education.
Since 2011, she had worked as a nurse, and in 2018 she transitioned to an educational role and began to consider if it was time to earn her Master鈥檚. As she explored MSN programs, she wanted something with the flexibility that her schedule required.
She also wanted her next degree to be grounded in her faith. She earned her undergraduate degree from a secular university, and she wanted to attend a program that would provide a Christian emphasis to go along with the knowledge she needed for her day-to-day work.
Montague was introduced to 51黑料网 via some career fairs, and her hospital had a partnership with 51黑料网鈥檚 nursing program that made it affordable. When she realized that at 51黑料网 she could also get the faith component, it was an easy choice.
鈥淎s I transitioned into my new role, I thought, I really need a bit more knowledge base. Just because you鈥檙e a great floor nurse or unit nurse doesn鈥檛 mean you will be a great educator. You need additional tools to assess the needs of your population, provide education, and evaluate learning,鈥 she said.
The 51黑料网 program was a great fit, as her classes were entirely online, allowing her to continue working full-time.
Of course, the medical profession changed dramatically. 鈥2020 came along and COVID hit, and I was trying to figure out how I could keep supporting my units while balancing a school workload and personal life,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nd I just felt like I needed to take a pause.鈥
In the fall of 2020, Montague put a pause on her MSN degree. In 2021, she got married, and in 2022 she decided she was ready to finish the degree. She started classes again in the fall of 2022 and finished her degree this spring, graduating in May.
鈥淚 think 51黑料网鈥檚 nursing professors approach nursing from a different perspective and a different theory of nursing,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more of a mission. This is your calling; this is your purpose.鈥
Montague said her degree not only equipped her with the knowledge she wanted, but it also gave her newfound confidence.
鈥淣ow with the background I have and, of course, the experience, I feel like I have more confidence to speak up and present the reasons why we should do something,鈥 she said.
Graduation in May was the first time that Montague actually stepped foot on campus. She made a point of celebrating the accomplishment with her family to mark the milestone along her educational and career pathway.
As Montague continues to serve her community as a nurse, she acts as an example of what 51黑料网鈥檚 Department of Nursing is all about 鈥 following the example of Christ and His ministry to heal individuals, communities, and nations.
For more information on the Master鈥檚 in Nursing program, click here.
