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“When I began assessing patients in a hospital setting, I felt a deep sense of purpose and confirmation that this was the right path,” said Caroline Anstey, a recent graduate of UNLV’s School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing, Direct Entry (DEMSN) program.

In September 2023, Anstey joined 31 aspiring nurses who would — a year later — become the program's first graduates. Designed for those who hold bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields, Anstey and the other students in her cohort had experience in a wide range of occupations.

"I previously worked in human resources,” Anstey said. “Although it provided valuable experience, I felt unfulfilled and realized I wasn't suited for corporate America. Nursing allows me to make a meaningful impact on people's lives, which is incredibly rewarding."

DEMSN is a 12-month program that fast-tracks students on the road to licensure. The program is the first of its kind in Nevada, allowing students to receive a master’s while preparing them for the National Council Licensure Examination, better known as the NCLEX.

“We made the program for people wanting to transition into nursing who have lived different lives, different experiences, and are in their later years versus that of a traditional student who may be in their early 20s and who has just got into school,” said Kayla Sullivan, director of the program. “Maybe they’ve been teachers for 20 years, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, certified nurse assistants, respiratory therapists, or dieticians. We also get a lot of people who work in the medical field, many who have worked beside nurses and realized that's what they want to do.” 

The school takes on a holistic admissions process for a full understanding of the person, beyond the numbers. 

“The review team doesn't see the transcripts. They don't know if the individual has a 4.0 or the 2.5 baseline,” Sullivan explains. “We interview them and look at innovation, critical thinking, curiosity, professionalism, leadership, and vision. We also review their resumes or curriculum vitae and use rubrics to assess.”

The holistic admissions process allows the review team to assess how students' past experiences transfer into the nursing profession. The program welcomes 32 students per cohort and receives roughly 100 applications per cycle. 

When Anstey joined the program, she was about six months pregnant. She was a mom of a young toddler, and her husband worked out of town. She leaned heavily on the support of her family, classmates, and instructors. It truly takes a village to raise kids, Anstey says, emphasizing that she could not have completed the program without their help. The week before finals, Anstey welcomed a baby girl to her family. 

“The faculty and my fellow students fostered a supportive and collaborative environment, which was crucial, especially when balancing pregnancy and studies,” Anstey said. “They helped with childcare and supported me in studying for assessments and exams. The faculty was also extremely supportive during my breastfeeding journey. Their support was invaluable and made a significant difference in my success.”

Her hard work did not go unnoticed. During UNLV School of Nursing’s Summer Recognition ceremony, Anstey was presented with the national DAISY Award in partnership with the DAISY Foundation. She was nominated by her community for her dedication to providing compassionate patient care, making connections with families and patients, and portraying outstanding nurse leadership.  

Before the program started, Anstey was already an advocate of the program. She mentioned the program to a friend who was also searching for something more in their career. 

Joseph Cadiz graduated from UNLV in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. For 10 years, he primarily worked in health care administration with community and public health nonprofits. However, he knew that if he really wanted to make an impact, he needed to work in direct patient care. 

“The thing that's really unique about the nursing approach and the nursing model is it focuses on the person as a whole, and that holistic aspect to health,” Cadiz said. “I know other health care providers have that as part of their practice, but nursing is unique because that's a foundational aspect.”

At first, Cadiz was focused on preparing to enter the School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Nursing Science degree program. When Anstey told Cadiz about the direct-entry program, Cadiz thought it was too good to be true. The program was meant for non-traditional students, including those who may already have their own families and decided at a certain point there was a catalyst to return to school. 

Cadiz was selected as the graduate student speaker at the School of Nursing’s Summer Recognition ceremony and received the Rebel Rising Star Award. The Nursing Alumni Association sponsors the Rebel Rising Star Award and recognizes a student who has directly impacted their community. 

“One of the biggest aspects of nursing is trying to help a person, not just in the most acute phase of a disease process, but even how to prevent that disease process, or when someone goes home, and you teach them how to stay healthy,” Cadiz said. “When you see a patient, you're only seeing them for a fraction of the time of their lifespan. What really matters is what's happening before and what's going to happen afterward.”