Carrie Blasko, DNP, RN, BSN, embarked on a rigorous path here at Duquesne University School of Nursing. She chose to enter the Nurse Executive Leadership Track so that she could gain a DNP degree after completing her BSN. The Post-Bachelor’s Executive Nurse Leadership DNP program is designed to help students meet their goal to become an executive nurse leader in health care. A DNP in Executive Leadership and Health Care Management allows students to apply their current leadership experiences in a curriculum that advances their business acumen, while developing their knowledge of evaluating and implementing evidence-based practice and how that can be used to improve health care outcomes and transform organizations.
Many students go from the BSN to an MSN program and then on to completing their DNP. Blasko chose to take the leap and move directly from her BSN to the DNP program. She knew what her goal was from a young age and went for it. “I have always enjoyed caring for and helping others. My grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer in her forties and survived for nearly twenty years before she passed away. The care she received from the hospice nurses during her final days was admirable and made the entire process much smoother for our family. The compassion the nurses exhibited towards my grandmother and family touched me in such a way that I knew I wanted to be able to pursue a career where I could also make a significant impact on others, even in their final moments of life,” Blasko explains.
After working for 15 years in a hospital setting, Blasko began to realize that the guidance and mentorship the nurse leaders provided was just as important as the patient care she was providing. “I have always prided myself on providing excellent patient care, and when I transitioned into an administrator role, I realized how important it is to lead by example as this also contributes to the quality-of-care patients receive. Duquesne has a phenomenal reputation and my goals aligned with what the BSN to DNP program track offered,” she went on to say. “Duquesne appealed to me for many reasons but mostly because of its reputation. When I reached out to Duquesne for information on this program, I received a phone call that changed everything. The ease of gathering information and never feeling pressured to commit made me realize Duquesne was different. I have close friends and colleagues who attended Duquesne and all had nothing but wonderful experiences. It felt like the perfect choice for me.”
With plans set in motion, Blasko began what would be a three and a half year, ten semester mission to gain her DNP. Reflecting back to the beginning, she recalls, “It was very overwhelming when I got started. I questioned my abilities and whether or not I would be able to catch on as quickly as those who already obtained their Master’s degree. The way the program is set up eased me back into school at a great pace. The first few courses allowed me to refresh my writing skills and APA formatting. I became familiar with expectations, and my confidence quickly grew. I appreciated having masters-level courses prior to entering into the doctorate-level courses as it helped me to prepare for what was to come.”
Blasko’s courses were all online, allowing her the flexibility she needed to complete the degree while also taking care of her family. Already having had plenty of experience working in a hospital setting, Blasko still found her courses to be “challenging but the material that was covered was relevant to what encompasses becoming an effective and successful leader in nursing. The most beneficial aspect of the
program, for me, was the fact that it was all online. I started this program when my daughters were 1, 3, 5 and 7. The ability to be able to complete my coursework online allowed me to be successful in this program while still being home with my children.”
The program culminated with Blasko presenting her DNP project for approval and then finally a graduation celebration which will come in the next few weeks. Just recently, Blasko successfully presented her project and now looks forward to her upcoming graduation date. “Presenting my DNP project was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life outside of my children. Seeing all I worked for come together was incredible. I felt a sense of pride that I never experienced before and was excited to share my project with others. It was intimidating, but with the guidance and positive reinforcements provided by my faculty mentors, I was prepared and eager to share my results.”
As her whirlwind experience comes to a successful conclusion, Blasko already has plans for the future. She hopes to one day assume the role of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). Her experience at Duquesne has encouraged her to become a lifelong learner and continue to educate herself and take on roles that will allow her to gain the knowledge and experience she needs to lead others. During her coursework, she was required to spend time with a CNO, which only solidified her goal. She witnessed first hand that a CNO’s role “encompasses all aspects of a strong leader who oversees the daily operations of an organization and finds a good balance between managing resources and upholding the welfare and health of the staff and patients.” She also plans to remain as an adjunct faculty member to continue to help educate future and current nurses.
For those embarking on their own DNP journeys, Blasko advises, “Take it one day at a time. Some seasons of the program are more intense than others, and it can be overwhelming trying to manage life and school, but it’s only temporary. I have a post-it on my bulletin board in my office that says ‘a project is only a temporary activity’, and I see it every time I sit down at my computer. Here I am, three and a half years later, with graduation less than two weeks away. The days are long, but the years are short. If advancing yourself within the field of nursing is a goal of yours, go for it!”
As Blasko prepares to don her cap and gown, she reflected back on the support she received from her faculty mentors. “I never thought I could have accomplished all that I did, especially with a young family at home, but here I am. The support from the faculty at Duquesne has been something I never could have imagined. They pushed me in ways that I never thought I could be pushed, and it has only made me a better nurse, professional and person. I truly am grateful for my time at Duquesne and the relationships that I have developed along the way. I will cherish them forever and find it bittersweet that my time is coming to an end.”
On behalf of the School of Nursing, we congratulate Blasko on her amazing accomplishment and wish her the best of luck in her next venture!
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