Deshone Shelisa Stevenson (Jackson)

I went to Florida International University in order to receive my bachelor's degree and my master's degrees in nursing and nursing education. I definitely needed to complete my education because prior, I had just an associate degree. I went to Miami-Dade first and graduated with my AS before going to Jackson School of Nursing for my license. The hospital I worked for was promoting nurses to go back to get their bachelor's degrees, so I wound up at Florida International. I graduated with my bachelor's in 1999, and I've been in Jackson ever since. I've been at Jackson Memorial Hospital now for 29 years, and I work in the Pediatric Oncology Unit. When I got my job in a managerial position, they encouraged me to go back to school again for my master's degree. I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay in management or if I wanted to do education, so I just did a dual degree. I'm about at the end of my career now, and I've always worked in pediatrics. It's a rewarding profession, and I love being a pediatric nurse. If I had to do it all over again, I would. I can't complain. I still have some friends I made when I was doing my master's degree in 2006. The program was really well organized and designed compared to the other schools I went to. It was a good experience. I have two daughters right now who are presently trying to get through nursing programs. I wish they could have gone to Florida International for their nursing degrees, but they chose to go away to college. I'm just happy that they chose nursing. It's a great career.