By Courtney Morris
Almost 25 years into her nursing career, Monica Manthey was done waiting.
Manthey called a family meeting to discuss the next year with her husband and teen: She had been accepted into San Jacinto College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She was not backing out this time.
“I’ve registered, and the classes are paid for,” she said. “You’ll have to figure out what’s for dinner and run the household.”
Manthey was finally continuing her education to pursue a career dream: earning her BSN to become a clinical instructor.
Monica Manthey, BSN grad. Photo by Courtney Morris
Driven to dream
As a proud San Jac alumna, Manthey, a Nurse Clinician III at Ben Taub Hospital, looked to her alma mater to advance her career.
“My education at San Jac helped me succeed prior to my BSN,” she said. “The integrity, responsibility, and purpose that was instilled in us as a group — I took those to heart in my years of practice.”
In spring 2021, Manthey started her prerequisites. Not only did her family adjust, but so did she.
She got a separate internet connection so she could study while her son was gaming. After work, she and an online study buddy completed BSN projects together while busting brain fog on FaceTime.
“We’d stop and play music videos to each other,” Manthey said. “After 10-15 minutes, our brains started functioning again, and we could finish our assignments.”
BSN faculty helped her fit her classes and projects around work so she could finish on time in summer 2022. Now Manthey serves as a liaison between Ben Taub administrators and staff and looks forward to advocating more for patients and nurses.
“With my BSN, I can take on more administrative positions and be a stronger bedside leader,” she said. “I’ll have the groundwork to lead projects and task forces.”
High quality, low cost
If you’re a working registered nurse ready to take the next step in your career, you too can earn your RN-to-BSN degree conveniently and affordably at San Jac.
The three-semester program (31 credit hours) builds on your experience through fully online eight-week courses focused on health care trends, public/global health policy, community health, ethics, and leadership.
Tuition is around $2,600 for in-district students and $6,900 for out-of-district. Every BSN student will receive a scholarship.
“We designed the program to help all nurses in the community pursue higher education to support upward mobility within the nursing profession,” said Dr. Rhonda Bell, Central Campus dean of health and natural sciences.
After earning your BSN degree, you may specialize in advanced practice or leadership positions from public health and education to management and more.
BSNs in demand
Today, more health care employers seek BSN-prepared nurses to keep pace with evolving health care. With the BSN program, San Jac meets not only area workforce needs but also busy RNs’ needs.
Manthey is proof. While pursuing her BSN, she navigated 12-hour nursing shifts, work committees, a husband who worked evenings, and two sons in their senior years of high school and college.
“I completed the BSN program despite having a busy life,” Manthey said. “Life did pop up, and I had to learn how to deal with that as well as stay on task. But I completed my degree in the time allotted, and it flew by. If I was able to do it, anyone can.”
Apply by Aug. 17 for the fall 2023 cohort. Learn more at sanjac.edu/bsn or email [email protected].
Ladder of Nursing
San Jac offers you multiple ways to enter nursing or advance your career:
- Vocational Nursing: Fast-track your nursing career. Once licensed as a vocational nurse, you may work while pursuing more education. (Three terms, North/South Campuses)
- Associate Degree Nursing: Gain the skills and experience to become a registered nurse. (Five terms, Central/North Campuses)
- LVN/Paramedic to ADN Transition: Advance your career from LVN or certified paramedic to an RN. (Three terms, South Campus)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: As a working RN, expand your leadership skills and career options. (Three terms, Central Campus)
