Becky Boennsch
Advanced Clinical Practice - Nurse Practitioner Role

I am the type of person who continually seeks new opportunities. Saginaw Valley's MSN program has provided a stimulating environment for me to grow professionally and personally.

Professionally, the MSN program has helped me to look beyond theboundaries of my practice area to realize how I could impact an entire community as a nurse practitioner.

Returning back for my master's degree has certainly been a challenge, but it has helped solidify the importance of maintaining a proper balance between career and family.

Lina Boudiab
Health System Nurse Specialist - Informatics Role

Nursing Informatics is a relatively new specialty that is highly in demand now, as we move into the information age. The role of the Informatics Nurse Specialist is still developing, as more nurses assume that role. The MSN program at SVSU provides a well-rounded knowledge base and solid leadership skills that help the graduate be proactive and efficient in an ever-changing healthcare environment. I particularly like the attention given to personal and spiritual growth, along with the emphasis on soulful practice of learned skills.

Amy Dempsey
Health System Nurse Specialist - Educator Role

Janice Foster
Advanced Clinical Practice - Nurse Practitioner Role

"The nurse practitioner role option prepares you for advanced practice with individuals and their families throughout their life span and across the health care continuum. Emphasis is placed on preventative care and management of chronic conditions, independent and interdependent decision making, and being held directly accountable for your clinical judgments."

Patricia Markowicz
Health System Nurse Specialist - Educator Role

I would highly recommend the MSN program to any nurse seeking
career development and enhancement.

From my own experience in the program as one of the first graduates, I found the faculty to be very flexible and open to student feedback. Faculty were cognizant that most of us were employed full-time in nursing and possessed career and family commitments to arrange around our class schedules. Faculty were willing to accommodate our individual needs. Upon program completion, I truly felt I had grown professionally and personally.

Regarding curriculum, I found the theoretical content in the administrative portion of the program validated those aspects of nursing management that I was performing correctly in my nursing supervisory role at the time. The content also provided many innovative and creative ideas on how to be a more effective, dynamic nursing administrator and leader and prepare for the future trends of health care. Methods to deal with the ever-changing challenges of health care also were very useful and enlightening.

The foundation of the program offered the opportunity for career advancement. I now hold a position as an academic administrator for the health sciences programs at a local community college. I believe that I am respected and successful in this challenging role, in part due to my excellent educational preparation that I received at SVSU.

I have had the opportunity to employ nursing faculty who are graduates of the nursing education track at SVSU. I have found that these faculty are well-prepared and capable of handling the challenges of the classroom, skills laboratory or clinic. They also possess the skills to address effectively a variety of student learning styles.

Sharon Lorraine Paul, RN
Advanced Clinical Practice - Nurse Practitioner Role (Mental Health) 

"The RN-MSN program allows me to select from a variety of classes in various disciplines at a time when the health care system demands alternative methods of providing quality patient care. This exposure to various disciplines equips the RN student with a broad knowledge base and fosters a professional respect for the contributions that each brings to the body of scientific knowledge. At SVSU I am able to partner with exceptional nursing professionals who provide constant insight and encouragement in the support of my academic efforts."

Pamela Spencer
Advanced Clinical Practice - Nurse Practitioner Role

"From the time I started as an ICU nurse, I wanted to expand my knowledge base, grow professionally and give patients the best care possible. I feel fortunate that my experience and professional growth have been tied to the program. My interest is to specialize in palliative (pain management) care, which is a very new area. The faculty have empowered me to assume responsibility and independence, helping meet my individual needs. The program also is flexible for balancing education with family and work."

Susan Strouse
Health System Nurse Specialist Educator Role

"Health care is changing so rapidly, it's really easy to be left behind. As a nurse educator, I need to help students think critically, and by pursuing the MSN, I am acquiring more knowledge, skills and theoretical background, in addition to keeping abreast of advances in the nursing profession. I also wanted an accredited program because it meets certain standards for quality, content and preparation of the faculty."

Linda Szafranski
Health System Nurse Specialist - Manager/Educator Role

SVSU’s reputation for a quality education is not just "marketing hype"... I know from personal experience in my undergrad studies.

• The professors take a personal interest in each student and understand that juggling a career while attending class is not always easy.
• Class times are amenable to students who must work full-time while attending class.
• Class sizes are small enough to allow for meaningful dialogue and one-on-one time with the professor if necessary.
• Students in the program become a personal and professional support group for each other... you really look forward to seeing your peers each semester.
• The dual-track option allowed me to pursue 2 areas of interest at the same time, which creates more career opportunities for the future.
• Interacting with students and professors from the College of Education has broadened my perspective and allowed me to explore the similarities as well as differences between the two disciplines.

Pursuing graduate studies at SVSU while working and raising a family is
definitely "doable"... think about it!