Nursing Master’s Student Goes Far to Graduate with Two Degrees

How far would someone go to get a degree? Well, University of South Florida College of Nursing student, Elizabeth Beardsley, RN, CNOR, RNFA, went the extra mile to receive two degrees in nursing. Beardsley is in the Adult Health Nurse Practitioner concentration within the master’s program.  Beardsley was admitted with her AS degree in Nursing, and will graduate with both her masters degree and her bachelor’s degree in nursing, on May 5, 2012. Adding to her success, she will graduate [bachelor’s degree] with honors, Magna Cum Laude.

“When I decided to pursue my master’s degree in Nursing, USF was my first choice,” Beardsley said. “Even though I lived in Lake City, a few hours away from Tampa, I wanted to go to USF. I was impressed with both the campus and the university.”

When Beardsley decided to go back to school to receive a graduate degree away from home, she made an unusual choice. After living on campus, lodging at hotels or driving three times a week to Lake City were not an option, Beardsley and her husband decided to purchase a travel trailer and stay at a local RV park the days and nights she was in Tampa.

“This way, no matter which direction I was going on Interstate 75, I would be heading home,” Beardsley said. “It was important to have something that was familiar to me while away from my family.”

When Beardsley was taking classes, she would park her trailer known as the “Beardsley Bungalow” at the Spanish Main RV Park, a few miles away from USF campus.

“Taking live classes while living in an RV was the right choice for me,” Beardsley said. “Not only was I able to meet my classmates and instructors, but I was also able to make many friends at the RV park who I stay in touch with to this day.”

Beardsley, who has worked as an adjunct faculty at a local college in Lake City, said she has had a great overall experience at the College of Nursing, and would highly recommend the program to others.

“I cannot think of another program where the instructors take such a real and personal interest in their students and work to make them successful and confident in their professional roles,” Beardsley said. “Thank you Dr. Linda Steele, Dr. Adrienne Berarducci, and Ms. Linda Blasen. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Beardsley said she is excited about her upcoming career opportunities. The nursing degree has opened new doors and allowed her to establish friendships and professional connections that will benefit her throughout her career, she said.

“The degree has also given me confidence that I have never had in myself before,” Beardsley said. “My time at USF has been invaluable and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to have had both the experience and the adventure of completing this program.  Because of my experiences over the past 3 years, I have discovered a true love of learning and anticipate that I will be a life-long scholar.”

For nursing students, USF Commencement ceremonies will be held at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa on May 5, 2012. The Undergraduate ceremony is at 1:00 p.m. and the graduate ceremony is at 6:00 p.m.