Michelle Oliver, RN
Michelle Oliver, RN
RN III at Bassett Medical Center
2019 Graduate, RN to BS Program
“In order to further develop my skills and knowledge, I knew a BSN would be the best ‘next step’ in an innovative health care system. It will open doors I would not have previously been eligible for. Nursing requires lifelong learning and this is the foundation to a successful future.”
About Michelle:
I am an RN III at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY. I have been a nurse for 11 years. I currently work in the ICU. I have a previous BS in Health Science from SUNY Cortland. I started in med/surg, went to wound care, back to inpatient care as a float nurse. Even though I have a bachelor's already, I was presented with a unique opportunity to complete a BSN. In order to further develop my skills and knowledge, I knew a BSN would be the best "next step" in an innovative health care system. It will open doors I would not have previously been eligible for. Nursing requires lifelong learning and this is the foundation to a successful future.
What was your experience in the program?
I was part of the Bassett Medical Center Cohort, taking classes predominantly online. We met with faculty a few times a semester and connected via various technologies. Trying to work full time, raise a family and devote enough time to my studies has been a difficult balancing act, but is by all means doable. The flexibility of this program set me up for success and the staff has been wonderfully accommodating.
Plans after graduation?
Take some time to be with my family, but eventually continue on to become a nurse practitioner, hopefully specializing in wound care. I will be taking my CCRN and applying for my RN IV via the Nursing Professional Pathway here at Bassett in the meantime.
What is one takeaway from the program that you will carry forward?
I am better prepared to take challenges head on and not only advocate for my patients individually at the bed side, but as a whole in an ever changing health care system. I am more flexible and competent in health care as a whole. Also, leadership skills and confidence in my practice, which provided a deeper understanding of health care dynamics I wouldn't have otherwise thought about.
Advice for future students in the RN to BS program?
DO it! You won't regret it! No one can ever take it away from you and you will do a better service to your patients, and family, by continuing on and preparing for the ebbs and flows of this career path.
