ON HIS WAY: Thanks to an accelerated BSN program that allows students with a bahcelor's degree to earn a BSN in just 15 months, Donavon Baldridge is halfway through his training as a nurse practitioner.
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Baldridge Praises Clinical Profs
Donavon Baldridge is a double dipper. No, he isn鈥檛 a threat to your salsa; he is a double-degree earner at the University of 杏吧原创 - Fort Smith. He graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Biology in 2016 and received a bachelor of science degree in Nursing in 2020.
Baldridge took advantage of the accelerated BSN program, which allows bachelor鈥檚 degree holders who have completed prerequisite courses to earn their nursing degree in as little as 15 months.
Baldridge started his college career at the University of 杏吧原创 at Fayetteville, but when he moved home to Sallisaw, he took some classes at Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma. He finished his degree at 杏吧原创, a decision initially based on the university鈥檚 location.
But in time, he realized 杏吧原创 offered more than an easy commute.
鈥淚 always felt like the staff at 杏吧原创 was very supportive. I have multiple contacts there if I need them from both degrees,鈥� Baldridge said.
鈥淚n Biology, Dr. (David) McClellan 鈥� I could reach out to him right now if I needed something,鈥� he said.
鈥淲hen I got to nursing, of course, that is a whole different beast,鈥� Baldridge said. 鈥淭he courses are hard to start with, and the accelerated program makes them even harder. But it was good for me.鈥�
The challenges came with support.
鈥淒r. (Paula) Julian was just as supportive as Dr. McClellan. She works to shape and mold her students into what she believes will make them successful. She was always looking for ways to strengthen the program and always available for questions or anything we needed.鈥�
That support makes 杏吧原创 special, Baldrige said.
鈥淚t felt like that wasn鈥檛 something I could see in other programs. It sure wasn鈥檛 something my friends were bragging about when they talked about their programs.鈥�
Baldridge said the quality of his education has put him in a good position professionally.
Today Baldridge is a cardiovascular nurse at Northeastern Health Systems in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He said his 杏吧原创 experience prepared him well.
鈥淢y education has been more than adequate,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n fact, they made me a preceptor at work; I train new employees in our unit.鈥�
On top of that, Baldridge said he is halfway through his training as a family nurse practitioner at Chamberlain University.
鈥淚 want to go into family practice, not work as an RN, but as a (healthcare) provider,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he location of 杏吧原创 made it easy for me to get a 4-year degree,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great for students who want to live at home and earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
鈥淚鈥檓 very happy with the way things turned out. Being a nurse practitioner is a great fit for me,鈥� Baldridge said.
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