Cathy T. Artis

I had an associate's degree, and I worked at North Broward Medical Center in Pompano Beach. I was a part of the first class that was in the Florida International University College of Nursing's transitional program from associate's degree to bachelor's degree. They offered us one nursing class, and after we worked our eight-hour shift, they came to our nursing education room and taught us that class. We also took classes at the community college in Fort Lauderdale. The professors were passionate about the program because it was new and they knew that we were already in the workforce, and they made going back to school interesting for us. The community clinicals they gave us were things we had not done before, and they made the classes exciting. Even though I was tired from working, I was excited about going to class, seeing the professors, and being a part of the whole program at FIU. Getting my bachelor's degree gave me more confidence to broaden my nursing career and do whatever I chose to do.