{"id":20,"date":"2023-05-15T18:48:04","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T18:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/summer-2023-volume-5-issue-1\/its-time-nursing-alumna-fulfills-bsn-goal-at-san-jac-25-years-later\/"},"modified":"2023-06-19T21:56:19","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T21:56:19","slug":"its-time-nursing-alumna-fulfills-bsn-goal-at-san-jac-25-years-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/summer-2023-volume-4-issue-2\/its-time-nursing-alumna-fulfills-bsn-goal-at-san-jac-25-years-later\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018It\u2019s time\u2019: Nursing alumna fulfills BSN goal at San Jac 25 years later"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Courtney Morris<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost 25 years into her nursing career, Monica Manthey was done waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Manthey called a family meeting to discuss the next year with her husband and teen: She had been accepted into San Jacinto College\u2019s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She was not backing out this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve registered, and the classes are paid for,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to figure out what\u2019s for dinner and run the household.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Manthey was finally continuing her education to pursue a career dream: earning her BSN to become a clinical instructor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Monica

Monica Manthey, BSN grad. Photo by Courtney Morris<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Driven to dream<\/span><\/h3>\n

As a proud San Jac alumna, Manthey, a Nurse Clinician III at Ben Taub Hospital, looked to her alma mater to advance her career.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy education at San Jac helped me succeed prior to my BSN,\u201d she said. \u201cThe integrity, responsibility, and purpose that was instilled in us as a group \u2014 I took those to heart in my years of practice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In spring 2021, Manthey started her prerequisites. Not only did her family adjust, but so did she.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d stop and play music videos to each other,\u201d Manthey said. \u201cAfter 10-15 minutes, our brains started functioning again, and we could finish our assignments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith my BSN, I can take on more administrative positions and be a stronger bedside leader,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll have the groundwork to lead projects and task forces.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

High quality, low cost<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tuition is around $2,600 for in-district students and $6,900 for out-of-district. Every BSN student will receive a scholarship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe designed the program to help all nurses in the community pursue higher education to support upward mobility within the nursing profession,\u201d said Dr. Rhonda Bell, Central Campus dean of health and natural sciences.<\/span><\/p>\n

After earning your BSN degree, you may specialize in advanced practice or leadership positions from public health and education to management and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

BSNs in demand<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u2019 needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI completed the BSN program despite having a busy life,\u201d Manthey said. \u201cLife 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.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Apply by Aug. 17 for the fall 2023 cohort. Learn more at sanjac.edu\/bsn<\/a><\/span> or email sanjacbsn@sjcd.edu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ladder of Nursing<\/span><\/h2>\n

San Jac offers you multiple ways to enter nursing or advance your career:<\/span><\/p>\n