DNP Archives | �ֻ��Ƭ

Distinguished Alumni Award Honors Alumnus’ Years of Service to the Veteran Community

�ֻ��Ƭ — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:51:45 +0000

The WCU Distinguished Alumni Award is created to recognize individuals who are going above and beyond to serve their community. This year’s honoree was WCU-Orange County alumnus Duc N., BSN ’20.

Duc’s �ֻ��Ƭ story begins back in 2019 when, after eight years of service in the United States Marine Corps, Duc decided to change careers in order to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. However, it wasn’t enough for Duc to work as a nurse — a career that is already defined by its commitment to care and service — but Duc also found ways to dedicate his time and energy to helping fellow veterans.

“I’m partnering with non-profit organizations that help veterans transition from the military to the civilian world,” Duc explained. “The biggest challenge is going from a structured environment to home where you must figure it all out independently.”

While in school, Duc was involved with the Student Veteran Organization and the (CNSA). “Being involved and utilizing all those resources gave me the platform to shine and helped me get to where I am today.”

Recently, Duc found a way to reach his fellow veterans through free group therapy sessions he calls “Holding Space.” The group is a safe place for veterans to share whatever is weighing on them so they can lighten that burden and begin to heal.

“We’re holding space for one another,” Duc said. “There is a huge stigma in mental health where we’ll say we’re fine and we don’t need help. It snowballs to the point where no one seeks help.”

For his work and dedication, Duc received numerous nominations from the WCU community for the Distinguished Alumni Award.

“I wasn’t expecting to get any awards at my age. When you do these things, you often don’t get thanked, and people don’t understand what you’re trying to do,” Duc said. “I’m hard on myself. It’s nice to be recognized because I know I’m on the right path. It boosts my spirits tremendously.”

He received the award at the 2024 Alumni Awards Ceremony where the WCU community gathered to celebrate outstanding alumni and honor their achievements. Duc, who was the final award recipient of the night, said he got a bad case of the nerves as the anticipation built.

“It was surreal,” he shared. “They had me sweating. I went up to the podium, and they were cracking jokes about saving the best for last. I was very honored and grateful.”

As for what’s in the future, Duc says, “As long as I’m in a position where I’m serving others, I know I’m in the right place.”

He is currently working as a house supervisor, managing his facility’s patient care and nursing services, while he earns his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, specializing in mental health nursing. Looking ahead, Duc plans to continue giving back to his alma mater, the healthcare community, and the veteran population. As he continues to navigate the healthcare landscape, he remains committed to embodying the spirit of the Distinguished Alumni Award with every step of his journey.

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Behind the Scrubs: Alumna’s Efforts Have Ripple Effects in Healthcare

�ֻ��Ƭ — Mon, 06 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Michelle S. (BSN ’17, DNP ’21, PMHNP ’24) first heard the calling to help others when she was only 6 years old. She witnessed a hit-and-run incident involving her 3-year-old brother, a harrowing experience that instilled in her an awareness of the importance of emergency care, as well as a deep respect for the wonderful individuals dedicating their lives to the profession. The experience was the first step to igniting a deep-seated desire within her to aid those in need.

However, her journey into nursing wasn’t always a straight path. Michelle, whose creative talents shone brightly from a young age, initially earned a scholarship to pursue design. Nevertheless, when the time came to choose a career, her aunt encouraged her to join the nursing field, and Michelle embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.

When it comes to choosing nursing over design, Michelle says she knows she made the right choice: “People often wonder if I regret my choice, but I’ve always been drawn to healthcare,” she said. “Witnessing the esteem of the profession and considering my role as a young mother, plus the assurance of job stability, I’ve never looked back. It’s been an honor and one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”

After years of service as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in acute care case management, Michelle decided to take the next step in her nursing career. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at �ֻ��Ƭ-Ontario, earning her degree in 2017 and becoming a registered nurse in an oncology/stroke unit. During her time at WCU, her academic performance earned her a spot on the prestigious dean’s list, a testament to the efforts she put into excelling in her courses and clinical practices.

Since graduating, Michelle has taken on roles that allow her impact to extend even beyond her patients. In her career so far, Michelle has:

Become a concurrent review nurse and was recognized as her department’s first employee of the month
Pioneered the first onsite hospital nursing role for the utilization management department in her managed healthcare organization
Mentored and trained fellow nurses in their new onsite nursing roles
Initiated a voluntary mindfulness program for nursing staff, which was linked to boosted productivity and reduced stress
Developed a local resource guide to help minimize gaps in access to healthcare for female veterans at a local university

Through her different roles, Michelle’s efforts have had a ripple effect through the community. She has not just taken care of her patients, but championed projects and practices that empower her fellow nurses to provide better care.

“I’m not your typical bedside nurse, and that’s the beauty of nursing — its versatility,” Michelle said.

Now, Michelle validates nursing practices within the Integrated Transitional Care department, primarily focusing on quality assurance and optimizing patient care. Though initially apprehensive about this new role, she now considers it one of her favorites, blending her case management background with clinical insights.

Recently, she decided to take on another important role, this time as a clinical instructor, serving as an internal preceptor for colleagues who wish to pursue their graduate degree. She took special pride in witnessing her first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student graduate last year.

As to what’s next, Michelle is on the verge of becoming a triple WCU alumna, on track to finish her post-master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate in 2024. “I never imagined myself in mental health, but after completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2019, I sought a specialty — a niche,” she said.

The mental health specialty is perfectly in line with Michelle’s experience and interest in wellness and mindfulness. About her career so far, she has said, “I find fulfillment in roles prioritizing self-care, personal growth, teamwork collaboration, and fostering a positive culture. Most importantly, encouraging innovation to achieve quality and safe patient outcomes.”

We can’t wait to see what Michelle does next!

Ready to start or advance your own nursing career? We offer programs both on campus and online, ranging from bachelor’s to doctorates. Explore all our programs and find the path that’s right for you!

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WCU Alumni Q&A: Nune Stepanyan, DNP ’21, MSN-FNP ’19, BSN ’16

Courtney Eaves — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:56:07 +0000

�ֻ��Ƭ alumna Nune Stepanyan is a three-time WCU graduate who dedicated herself to her education to achieve her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the healthcare field.

Dr. Stepanyan graduated from WCU with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016, a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2019, and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2021. She is currently the owner of in Los Angeles, California and is a nursing instructor at WCU.

Learn more about Dr. Stepanyan’s journey in this Q&A.

WCU: How has WCU helped you get to where you are today in your career?

Dr. Stepanyan: When I started my journey with WCU in 2014, my cohort consisted of a large majority of adult learners in their mid-to-late 20s. Most of us were on our second or even third career paths, feeling lost, apprehensive, and doubtful. WCU restored my faith in myself. WCU gave me the tools and network I needed to succeed not only in nursing but all aspects of the healthcare industry, which I exuberantly explored over the past seven years since completing my first program with WCU.

WCU: What path did you take to attain your career as a female business owner?

Dr. Stepanyan: It may be old-fashioned and cliché, but my parents always told me that education is one thing no one can take away from you and that always stuck with me. Education has always been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. From tutoring students to [being a] college professor, clinical educator in the ER, to finally international aesthetic injector/trainer.

I chose the path to obtain multiple advanced degrees to get me to where I am today. WCU is where I obtained my bachelor’s, master’s, FNP, and doctoral degrees, and without the backing of this solid education I received, I’m not sure I would be the successful female entrepreneur I am today.

WCU: Tell me more about your business.

Dr. Stepanyan: The Stepanyan Clinic is a place where EVERYONE is welcome to experience the luxuries of aesthetic medicine. We build customized treatment plans for every individual and believe in restoring confidence and empowering our patients to be the best versions of themselves. We specialize in neurotoxins such as Botox, Dysport, Juveau, and Daxxify, as well as dermal fillers for the natural enhancement of facial volume loss.

We also curate skin laser procedures, along with radiofrequency technology, to aid in what I call “pro-aging treatments.” Above all, we are a clinic comprised of a team of professionals who care, empathize, and value our patient’s goals and needs.

WCU: What has been the coolest part about your job so far?

Dr. Stepanyan: The coolest part of my job has been and will always be the impact I have on my patients’ day-to-day lives. The uplifting empowerment and confidence I can give women (and men) on a daily basis will never cease to amaze me.

WCU: Why is it important to you to hire WCU graduates?

Dr. Stepanyan: As a WCU alumnus, I know exactly what type of person it takes to complete this program. Our alumni are strong, intelligent, and resilient. These are the types of nurses and overall human beings we need in the healthcare industry, regardless of the specialty.

WCU: How does your job connect back to your coursework at WCU?

Dr. Stepanyan: WCU prepared me to be ready for the unexpected. In the ER, you never know what is going to walk through those doors. There were times when I didn’t think I was going to be able to complete the program, but I found myself pushing through, and that is exactly the type of grit it takes to make it in the healthcare industry both as a clinical practitioner and a business owner.

WCU: Were there any classes or professors that influenced where you are today?

Dr. Stepanyan: I believe Dr. Khan, who would refer to us nursing students as “angels,” is himself a walking angel on Earth. Instead of belittling and using his power and authority to scare students about what awaited us in the real world, Dr. Khan empowered us with his wealth of knowledge and gave us the confidence to become intelligent critical thinkers.

WCU: What advice do you have for students who want to follow in your path?

Dr. Stepanyan: Never, ever give up! Good things in life don’t come easy, and easy things aren’t always good. There will be times when you will take financial losses or personal losses, but when you are living/chasing your dreams, those losses won’t hold you back, and the wins will taste exponentially better.

WCU: Tell us about your experience as an instructor for WCU.

Dr. Stepanyan: This was one of my favorite jobs I ever had. My students have a special place in my heart because I got to witness firsthand people from all walks of life, ages, and experiences completing a program together. We went from the hospital setting to virtual learning, and let me tell you, the students really pulled it together during one of the toughest times the world has ever seen. It was truly inspiring.

WCU: Tell us about your involvement with the Alumni Association.

Dr. Stepanyan: The Alumni Association has expanded my network in a plethora of ways. I will never forget the very first event. It was pouring rain the night before my NCLEX exam, and we met at Arnie Morton’s in Burbank. That night, I met fellow alumni I have built lifelong relationships with. Every subsequent event has been better than the next. It is so important to celebrate our alumni’s accomplishments, provide scholarships for current and future alumni, and build a network as powerful as other top private institutions in the nation!

Visit our Alumni page to learn about the WCU Alumni Association and opportunities for connecting with other WCU graduates.

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DNP Program Receives Programmatic Accreditation from CCNE

�ֻ��Ƭ — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

�ֻ��Ƭ is pleased to announce its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has been accredited for five years by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

WCU DNP program director Pamela Sandvig said the five-year accreditation was an affirmation of WCU’s “long tradition of excellence for quality nursing education.”

“�ֻ��Ƭ has a history of helping prepare students to excel and the DNP program provides the opportunity for students to further their education and promote personal and professional growth,” Sandvig said. “Our DNP team looks forward to continuous program improvement to stay current and relevant in an ever-changing and dynamic healthcare environment.”

This milestone accomplishment is official recognition that WCU met all four accreditation standards established by the CCNE Board of Commissioners using the CCNE Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs. The national accreditation program works to promote the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing.

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WCU College of Nursing to Host Virtual DNP Accreditation Visit

�ֻ��Ƭ — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

The �ֻ��Ƭ College of Nursing is hosting a virtual accreditation visit by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education on March 24-26, 2021 for initial accreditation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

In accordance with CCNE’s procedures, the Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, third-party comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE’s policy on Conduct of Business in English.

If you would like to submit a third-party comment for the DNP program which is currently under review, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org by no later than March 3, 2021.