Connect

Nikki Maupin worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) for 17 years — 11 of those at UVA Health Digestive Health — but always dreamed of becoming a registered nurse (RN). “When I saw the opportunity listed in a Connect article about the upcoming LPN to RN Bridge Program through UVA Health and Piedmont Virginia Community College [PVCC] Earn While You Learn [EWYL] — I knew I had to apply! I’ve always wanted to grow professionally, and this was the prime opportunity to do so, while working full time and raising three kids.”

Summer of Milestones

Maupin (pictured above, right, at graduation with her three children) is among the first cohort of the EWYL RN Program that graduated in May 2026, and in September 2026, she’ll transition from UVA Health Digestive Health to University Medical Center Labor and Delivery (L&D) as an RN — a dream come true! “I love being at the bedside during what could be the most vulnerable time in a patient’s life,” she describes. “Being a nurse is so rewarding! I’m looking forward to being on a new unit to grow professionally and personally.” 

She adds: “I’m forever grateful for the flexibility, encouragement, and support of our healthcare organization. UVA Health invested in my education — giving me an opportunity to balance work, school, and home life while achieving my biggest goal of becoming an RN! I am honored to be a member of the University Medical Center team. They believed in me and helped me make my dream a reality.”

First Cohort

Eighteen participants joined the first cohort of the EWYL RN program — earning a full salary, benefits, and tuition support while devoting 16 hours per week to nursing coursework, labs, and clinicals — and 24 hours per week to their current roles within UVA Health. After graduation, participants are required to work at University Medical Center, typically on a-year-for-a-year basis, so the two-year RN program participants are committed to working for two years at University Medical Center.

Two members of the first cohort — Dancan Oyanji, RN, and Nalia Esposito, RN — joined the cohort partway through working on their PVCC degrees, so Oyani graduated in May 2025 and Esposito graduated in December 2025. Both then passed their NCLEX [National Council Licensure Examination, a standardized exam used across the United States to license registered nurses).

The two began working as RNs a little sooner than the rest of the cohort — Oyanji on 4 East TCV and Esposito in 3 West. The remaining 16, including Maupin, graduated from the program in May 2026, and were interviewed for University Medical Centers positions and offered roles here, where they’re expected to work for at least two years.

“We’re incredibly proud of this group and all they have accomplished to become registered nurses,” Beth Mehring, MSN, RN, Director, UVA Health EWYL. “It’s deeply rewarding to help dedicated employees achieve their professional goals and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.”

Best Place to Work

Congratulations to Maupin, Oyanji, Esposite, and all the graduates! They’re already working — or headed to new roles — at UVA Health:

• Ahyana Calloway, RN, Labor and Delivery (L&D) 
• Shelby Clements, RN, Thoracic Cardiovascular (TCV-ICU) 
• Ashlynn Dinsmore, RN, Peds Allergy/Immunology 
• Riley Dobmeier, RN, Antepartum/Mother-Baby 
• Kristen Hatley, RN, 5 Central 
• Kaylah Holsapple, RN, Northridge Pediatrics 
• Ashlyn Hughes, RN, Main Operating Room (OR) 
• Sarah Jinkins, RN, Main OR 
• Andrea Jovel, RN, Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) 
• Julia Mix, RN, Outpatient Surgery Clinic (OPSC) OR 
• Kathleen Morris, RN, Mobile Cardiology 
• Kamden Pleasants, RN, Surgical Care Riverside (SCR) OR  
• Caitlin Payne, RN, L&D 
• Erin Reres, RN, 6 West 
• Amber Valdez, RN, 4 Central 

More great news on graduation day: Hughes earned the Nightingale Award and Pleasants earned the Clinical Award for Day Cohort!

Origins

Initially, EWYL was developed in response to the significant vacancies at University Medical Center following the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatened our workforce stability, and community access to patient care. Another barrier to success? Part-time students attempting two-year degrees can take even longer to graduate. “EWYL nursing programs were implemented to help change those statistics,” says Nicole Henley, MSN, RN, CCRN, NI-BC, Nurse Manager, EWYL Clinical Programs. “We need 100% of the nurses who start nursing school to finish nursing school in a timely fashion and without nursing school debt.”  

UVA Health senior leadership approved EWYL’s ability to support those students who are enrolled at PVCC, and employees at UVA Health University Medical Center: 

• For at least one year at the start of the EWYL program. 
• In good performance and good attendance standing. 
• Not currently in performance counseling. 

In addition: 

• Employee’s manager must agree to support the employee’s participation and program expectations. 
• Employee’s manager must agree to maintain the employee’s full-time employment status throughout the program and contract period. 
• Employee and manager must agree to limit overtime during academic semesters to support academic success.  

Spreading the Word/Maximizing the Experience  

“I highly encourage my peers to utilize the EWYL program to open doors in career pathways while having the support of University Medical Center,” shares Maupin. “The investment to encourage professional growth speaks volumes to the dedication and commitment the medical center has to its employees. I’ve had many conversations with coworkers, and staff in other departments, about the benefits. In addition, EWYL staff members are super helpful, encouraging, and makes themselves available to maximize the experience!”