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“It’s so rewarding for me to give people the help they need. It doesn’t feel like a job because I enjoy doing it every single day… this is what I was made for."
Nileny Suero G’24 found her calling in nursing. When she got her start in the healthcare field more than 20 years ago, she was a phone operator – and after years of working her way up, she now works as a Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) nurse – with an aim to continue that career growth.
After two-plus decades of rising in the ranks, she doesn’t want to slow down on her career growth anytime soon – and through enrollment in Emmanuel’s online RN-to-BSN program – aspiring nurses like Suero don’t have to choose between career and education, they can do both.
Within the Maureen Murphy Wilkens School of Nursing & Clinical Sciences, the online program is one of the College’s Graduate and Professional Programs. Built for current registered nurses who want to advance their education and career, it consists of an accelerated format with seven-week courses, allowing students to earn their degree in 16 months.
“I’ve been in school forever,” Suero said, “and this is as smooth as its ever gone.” After completing her associate’s degree at Northern Essex Community College, Suero heard about Emmanuel’s program and was drawn in by its affordability and flexibility.
From an admissions seminar, Suero became interested in the program’s nursing leadership within the program and quickly recognized that enrolling in it was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.
In terms of the coursework itself, Suero said she’s appreciated the accessibility and support from the faculty, who “really understand we have busy lives going on.” She also said she appreciated the amount of online discussion, and the fact that she’s been able to get familiar with other fellow nurses taking many of the same courses as her along the way.
She looks forward to continuing to pursue her passion and being able to help her patients in even more ways than she can now. “That’s why I’ve persisted throughout my career. My kids, my patients and my love for what I do keeps me going,” Suero said.
After completing her degree in December, Suero is ramping up for what’s next: and since the RN-to-BSN program went so smoothly at Emmanuel, she plans to continue her education by pursuing the College’s online Master’s in Nursing program next.
Fedline Francis G'24
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) of more than 10 years with a health sciences degree from Northeastern, Francis works in correctional healthcare. She has her sights set on growing in her role and her career, which is why she enrolled in Emmanuel’s online RN-to-BSN program – and why she too plans to pursue a master’s with Emmanuel.
Having seen the significant impacts that mental health and substance use has on people, particularly in her role, Francis hopes to increase her own impact and her ability to support those who need it. She is also well aware of the stigma regarding mental health and what she’s up against.
“This stuff is real and it needs to be talked about. No matter the person – they could be going through something that isn’t visible on the surface,” Francis said.
As a first-generation college student, Francis is trying to set an example for her little brother in college as well as for her daughter. “[I] have lots of motivations,” she said, “including that I love to see myself grow.”
Emmanuel’s online RN-BSN has been key for her educational growth, especially thanks to its flexibility. Sometimes she’ll be up early in the morning completing assignments, she said, balancing work and having her daughter at home.
“The work has been extremely rewarding,” Francis said, “I enjoy the program: it’s all worth it.” She said the coursework makes you think outside of the box, and hearing from her fellow students about where they are in their nursing careers is helpful insight as well.
As someone who is in a more non-traditional nursing role, Francis said it remains key to keep helpful mentors and coworkers close, both to learn and take inspiration from them. Even if it may seem like it’s easiest to get into nursing the traditional way, Francis added, aspiring nurses can get their start in any type of role.
Jeremy Stephens
Like Suero and Francis, Stephens is striving toward growth and success in his career – and has been able to thrive in Emmanuel’s online RN-to-BSN program as a result.
Originally from North Carolina, Stephens got his start in Boston in business and management, but decided to shift gears on his career when he had his first daughter.
He decided then to follow in the footsteps of his mother and grandmother to become a nurse, and is currently enrolled in Emmanuel’s RN-to-BSN program.
“If I say that I’m going to do something, I’m going to make sure that I do it,” Stephens said. When he decided to make the switch and pursue nursing, plenty of people around him told him it would be challenging and the classes would be difficult. Yet, there was still no other option but to complete the goal he set.
While completing the program, Stephens is working in the Ear, Nose and Throat department at St. Elizabeth Hospital after starting as a medical assistant in Brigham & Women’s thoracic surgery department. He graduated from Roxbury Community College in spring 2023 and wanted to keep pushing forward in his education – which led him to Emmanuel’s program.
“From my first class – it definitely pushes you to keep learning and keep going,” he said. Stephens appreciated how diligent the instructors are, as well as their approachability not just about the coursework, but also to ask about their personal experiences.
He’s been a hard worker and aimed for success as long as he can remember – and strives to bring the same approach to his nursing career and his patients.
“No matter what, I’m always representing myself, my community and my culture,” Stephens added.