{"id":143435,"date":"2024-10-14T09:18:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=143435"},"modified":"2024-10-14T09:20:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:20:12","slug":"through-perseverance-ucf-nursing-student-finds-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/through-perseverance-ucf-nursing-student-finds-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Through Perseverance, 麻豆原创 Nursing Student Finds Success"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u201cIf my story can inspire one other person, that\u2019s a lot,\u201d says Sabrina Van Dusen, an online RN to B.S.N<\/a>. student at 麻豆原创\u2019s College of Nursing who, together with her sisters, is among the first generation of college graduates in her family.<\/p>\n Van Dusen was born in Uruguay, the smallest Spanish-speaking country in South America with a population of 3.4 million.<\/p>\n When she was 20, she moved to Canada and, soon after, the United States in search of greater opportunities. She got married and became a mom, which changed the way she viewed the world and gave her a broader purpose, Van Dusen says.<\/p>\n \u201cI started looking at the world not only through a woman\u2019s eyes, but also through a mom\u2019s eyes,\u201d she says. \u201cI became passionate about raising a healthy little girl, not only physically but mentally too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI also wanted to ensure she would have a better future with the inspiration she gave me that it is never too late to go after your dreams and set the example for her to follow,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n It sparked a calling in Van Dusen to follow her passion to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to wake up every day with a purpose,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n While Van Dusen was taking prerequisites and preparing to enroll in nursing school, the COVID-19 pandemic began and she went through a difficult divorce \u2014 now primarily caring for her daughter with no other family support in the U.S.<\/p>\n \u201cFor many years, I was in survival mode,\u201d she says. Throughout the challenges, she persevered for her daughter. \u201cMy daughter is watching and I remember how important it is for me to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n She was admitted into the competitive associate in science in nursing program at Miami-Dade College and enrolled full-time, taking out loans, to graduate and begin working as soon as possible.<\/p>\n In Spring 2023, she successfully graduated with her A.S.N. with the honors of making the Dean\u2019s List, joining Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and being a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Shortly after graduation, she passed the national registered nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-RN).<\/p>\n \u201cI work hard, and always strive for the best,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n She began working full-time as an registered nurse (RN), and began the application process at 麻豆原创 to enroll in the online RN to B.S.N. program, geared exclusively for licensed registered nurses to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in nursing (B.S.N.).<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to go a reputable school and 麻豆原创 is a really good nursing school,\u201d she says of the program, which is ranked among the nation\u2019s best<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201c麻豆原创 was also giving me the opportunity to succeed,\u201d she says. \u201cI didn\u2019t know how I was going to be able to balance mom life, student life and work life.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Dusen says what sets 麻豆原创\u2019s program apart is its flexibility and support from admissions counselors.<\/p>\n \u201c麻豆原创 allowed me the ability to learn at my own pace,\u201d she says. \u201cThey allow students to add classes or reduce classes, depending upon how life is going. That was important to me.\u201d<\/p>\nFinding the Support to Succeed<\/h2>\n