Master of Science in Nursing
Advanced Clinical Nursing Track
Student Features - Wilma B. Hogan, RN, MSN
I
graduated from George Mason University (GMU) in the Spring of 2002, with a
Master of Science in Nursing-Advanced Clinical Nursing Track. Being a nurse
in obstetrics for many years and enjoying it, my plan of going back to school
was to focus my studies in this area of nursing. When I first got the brochure
from GMU, to my disappointment, Obstetrics was not mentioned in the areas of
specialties. Nonetheless, I attended GMU's orientation for the nursing graduate
program where I was able to meet with Dr. Noble. Dr. Noble reassured me that
the university would be able to meet my academic needs. She discussed the possibility
of finding a clinical setting where I would be matched with somebody in obstetrics.
As a nurse who graduated from a school overseas, I thought I would have had
a hard time getting in to the graduate program at GMU. I often wondered if
my credentials would meet the requirements for admissions in any schools in
the U.S. After going through the application process to the graduate program
at GMU, I was thrilled to learn of my acceptance and to be given the chance
to fulfill this long time dream.
I spent three years going to school part time and working as a full time night shift nurse in an acute care setting. Without the support from my family and employer, this dream would have been impossible to attain. At GMU, I met delightful friends from all over the world. Like me, they came back to school to make a difference for our patients, co-workers and nursing globally. The culture diversity among GMU's students made all of us feels united. During the course of my studies, I focused on "Cultural Diversity". I felt the need to know more about caring for patients from different cultures and giving them the best nursing care possible.
The respect and professionalism we received from the professors were exemplary. I never missed a single day of school within the entire three years of my enrollment in the university, as I was afraid of missing important information from the professors, my classmates and guest speakers. My clinical experience through GMU enabled me to make a career change, a career where I would be a stronger advocate for patients, nurses and the nursing education.
Thank you GMU for giving me the chance to grow academically and professionally. I will carry your name with pride wherever I practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.