Career Roadmap
Debra's work combines: Education, Medicine, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Vermilion High School
Bachelor's Degree
Nursing Science
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Graduate Degree
Nursing Science
The University of Texas at Tyler
Doctorate
Nursing Science
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Nursing Science
Graduate Degree: Nursing Science
Doctorate: Nursing Science
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I had a passion for nursing and was accepted into nursing school after high school graduation.
2.
At the time you could not be married and attend nursing school, so I chose instead to get married.
3.
Family happened and a divorce in my 30s. The divorce allowed me to finish undergrad nursing degree.
4.
While being a nurse, I loved nursing education, so I worked full time and finished my degrees.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You need to get married and have a family, You are a woman and can't afford an education.
How I responded:
No one in my family had a degree so they did not understand the value of an education. As a woman, I was made to feel like my role in life was to have a family and provide a good home. They also felt that money for an education was better spent on men. It took me a while and a divorce to realize that I needed to be able to be happy with my career and support myself. Once I set my mind to it, there was no stopping me. Surprisingly, my family are proud of me and now boast of my accomplishments.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was a single Mom, so I had to take out school loans for my first degree which was an associate degree. For my BSN, MSN and PHD, I was able to find money from my employer, grants, and scholarships.
Since I had no one to guide me, I found mentors who helped me understand difficult concepts, make decisions, and find money.