Student is One Step-Closer to Becoming a Nurse Thanks to Scholarships and Support from Keiser University

Now one step closer to her goal of becoming a mental health professional, Keiser University student Heidi Tinney is thankful for her educational experience and a scholarship courtesy of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Motivated to eventually serve as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, the Keiser Sarasota campus learner is working toward her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with plans to graduate this August. She has the goal of working either in a trauma and emergency room setting or for a local community health clinic for two years to gain hands-on experience before returning to school in pursuit of her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

“I have experienced several roadblocks and trials in life that have made me a stronger woman, so I’m thankful to apply what I’ve learned to assist those in need,” said Tinney, a recent widow and the mother of a three-year-old son. “The advice that I would give to potential nursing students is to persevere and not give up on yourself. Life does not cease to throw curve balls, but as long as we are confident, count our blessings, believe in our ability, and remain determined then we have the foundation to overcome adversity. If you believe in your heart and soul that being a nurse is your calling, then I suggest you go after your dreams without hesitation.”

Tinney credits Keiser University faculty and classmates for continued encouragement. “The tremendous support I’ve received from faculty has been astonishing, I’ve never felt such compassion and empathy while continuously being encouraged to advance my professional and personal growth. I would also like to address my nursing cohort and the other cohorts, as their generosity, selflessness, and willingness to help in any given situation is just amazing. I cannot begin to articulate the gratitude I have for every one of them,” she smiled.

As part of her generous scholarship and grant package, Tinney was awarded $5,000 by the AAUW’s Venice, Florida chapter. She is also grateful to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, which administers applications and funds for the scholarship. The American Association of University Women works to close the gender pay gap through education, research, and advocacy. With 250 members, the Venice branch of the AAUW is the largest branch of the organization in Florida and one of the largest nationally. Its mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

The Keiser University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is offered for students to complete the nursing program within 16 months and enter into the professional setting. Graduates will be prepared to provide compassionate, patient-centered, culturally competent nursing care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations in a variety of settings, using evidence-based knowledge and skills related to wellness, health promotion, illness, disease management, and end-of-life care to improve healthcare outcomes. They will practice in partnership with patients as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams, utilizing the most current healthcare technologies.

The  Keiser University Doctor of Nursing Practice program graduate will possess advanced competencies for increasingly complex practice, faculty, and leadership roles in nursing. The curriculum focuses on integrating nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences as the basis for the highest level of evidence-based nursing practice. The program is comprehensive and time-efficient and fosters motivated, self-directed learners who can utilize the highest levels of education to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. The DNP program equips students with mastery in the areas of leadership, evidence-based practice, policy, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration.