Graduate Student Alumni Spotlight

Nursing PhD

Student Name:Tracy Jeanne Nash, BSN, RN

Program: PhD in Nursing

Hometown: Park City, Utah

Undergraduate Institution: University of Utah, College of Nursing (BSN)

Graduation Year: University of Utah, College of Nursing: 2011

Projected Graduation date from University of Texas at Tyler, College of Nursing and Health Sciences: 2017

Why did you choose to attend UT Tyler?

I chose to attend UT Tyler because of the nursing faculty’s reputation for accessibility, support, and commitment to student success. Entering the online PhD program as a BSN graduate, it was also important for me to find a quality program that would allow me to meet my academic goals in a timely manner. The College of Nursing’s history for academic excellence, devoted nurse educators, one-on-one mentorship, and a strong alumni network made UT Tyler an easy choice!

What are your career goals and how does your graduate program support them?

My career goals are to work as a nurse educator and researcher upon completion of the PhD program. The curriculum at UT Tyler prepares future educators and researchers with a rigorous academic foundation, along with collaboration and networking opportunities with world scholars. Nursing faculty not only support and challenge students’ intellectual and professional growth, but also promote learning in an encouraging and caring student-focused environment. As a graduate nursing student, I have been offered teaching and research opportunities working as both a graduate teaching assistant and research assistant. I have also worked side-by-side with nursing faculty members to develop an undergraduate course curriculum and collaborate as a co-author on a research study. The hands on experience I continue to receive in this program will help promote a seamless transition into the professional workforce upon my graduation.

What do you like most about UT Tyler?

What I like most about UT Tyler is the support, enthusiasm, and expertise of the nursing faculty members. They are world scholars, outstanding role models, expert facilitators of the online learning process, and are truly committed to positive student outcomes. I believe the mentorship is absolutely extraordinary! I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to learn from educators and researchers who lead by example, work diligently to make contributions that advance the profession, and epitomize nursing at its best!

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