Kenedra Davis started out with an associate’s degree in nursing to earn her RN designation, but she’s ambitious by nature. “I didn’t want to just settle with an RN. I wanted to create my own foundation for advancement,” she says.
Starting Out Right
Kenedra had been working in a clinic, teaching nursing students how to use the equipment. They were surprised that she herself had all that knowledge but was not yet a nurse. That spurred her to get her RN.
“I was initially thinking of earning my RN with another program,” she says, “but I heard about Riverside’s and switched over to theirs.” It was definitely a good decision—she loved it. “It was a family atmosphere, and they treated us like adults.”
She completed her program in just a year’s time, wanting to finish as quickly as possible. While it was intense, the teachers made it manageable for the students. “I have a family—four children and a husband. The work-life balance was good, which was a key factor in my choosing this program.”
That positive experience informed her decision to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing with Riverside as well.
Why a BSN?
Kenedra knew that if she wanted to work in a hospital setting, she’d likely need a bachelor of science degree in nursing in addition to her RN. When it came to choosing a program, it didn’t take a lot of thought—she went back to Riverside. “I had to make sure I could do this and still take care of my job and my family.”
The positive experience she had earning her RN carried over to her BSN program. “When my daughter got sick, the instructors had no hesitation,” she says. “They worked with me so I would succeed.”
The BSN program was every bit as intense as getting her RN. “It was a shock, but we all got over it,” she laughs. The program required six credit classes and a capstone class at the end of the last term. The Riverside capstone project synthesizes all the learned knowledge by assigning work in the field. Kenedra’s assignment involved going out into the community and teaching people about health—good eating habits, maintaining a healthy blood pressure and so on.
Riverside is currently working toward becoming a magnet program, Kenedra explains. That’s a very prestigious credential, one that teaching hospitals possess. “If it’s your goal to work in a hospital, you want to go someplace with magnet status,” she recommends.
The Human Side
Both Kenedra’s mother and grandmother had breast cancer, and she developed it as well. “The teacher for my associate’s degree in nursing helped me work through that, and she’s my current manager,” she explains. “So many growth opportunities have come from her.”
Those cancer experiences also helped her better understand patients and why some people can be difficult. “I actually like working with the tough patients, getting them to talk to me,” she says. “I connect with them person-to-person, try to understand what they’re going through. A lot of them are just scared.” Helping them smile, even for a few minutes, gives Kenedra satisfaction. “It matters that I make a difference in someone’s life.”
Her advice for others looking to get into the nursing field? “Go for it! There are so many opportunities out there. There’s a real need for nurses right now.” Kenedra points out that Riverside has great financial aid and scholarship programs, and the academic portion of the BSN program was 100 percent online, something she appreciated with her busy schedule.
What’s Kenedra’s next goal? “I’m looking to get into management,” she says, “something that will fit in well with my family schedule. And I love teaching—communicating with compassion.”
