Connect

Meet Melissa Neck. Cookbook collector. Dancer, UVA alumna (her first degree is in psychology), and RN to BSN student. Navy wife, mom of two kids and two dogs. Award-winning photographer lauded for her amazing high school portraits, a first-generation college attendee, and a veteran labor and delivery nurse at Riverside Health in Newport News.

What was your path to nursing?

"I am the first nurse in my family, and attended Riverside's College of Health Careers, earning a diploma, with honors, from their professional nursing program. I've been a labor and delivery nurse for more than 16 years and work on a high-risk unit. I'm Ob-certified, a BLS and NRP instructor, a preceptor, charge nurse, and unit validator. Labor and delivery nurses are often several specialties wrapped into one: we know adult patients, pediatric patients, are comfortable in the OR, PACU, ED, ICU, and medical-surgical units . . . which means each day brings us something different."

Why UVA? 

"UVA was already my alma mater . . . so I knew that I wanted to return for a BSN because I knew the program would provide value and benefit me not only as a nurse but also as a leader, giving me the tools and skills I'd to pursue an advanced degree."

What the RN to BSN program is like?

"I enjoy the hybrid format. The flexibility of asynchronous classes works great for working RNs with families, but you do have to be disciplined with your schedule and create a work-school-life balance.

"I knew I would get the support I needed to succeed in the RN to BSN program . . . Especially with the RN to BSN program, they know we are not traditional students. We work, we have families, and may be wearing many hats at once."

"We also get the in-person experience of being around the professors and other students in our cohort, and it's nice to go through this experience with others and share the journey. In-person class days are my favorites; we catch up and have meaningful discussions with one another."

UVA School of Nursing in a word?

"Supportive . . . The staff and professors are with you every step of the way and help guide you; they all want to see you succeed. They promote and encourage self-care and genuinely care about our well-being. The professors challenge you and push you to reach your potential but at the same time are your biggest cheerleaders."

###

Ready to get supported and grow YOUR nursing? Set up a one-on-one meeting with our friendly RN to BSN admissions advisor Kim here and start your journey toward earning the personal, professional, and financial benefits a BSN brings!