This Nurse’s Inspiring Story Shows It’s Never Too Late to Return to School

Victoria Roehl’s journey to earning her BSN didn’t follow a straight line. She started college in the mid-80s, but a cancer diagnosis forced her to put everything on hold. Decades later, she returned to the same university, UIC, to complete what she started.

Through UIC’s Online RN to BSN program, Victoria built on her nursing experience, gained new confidence in her skills, and opened the door to opportunities she never thought possible. Now, she’s helping shape the next generation of nurses and pursuing her PhD.

Can you provide an overview of your background and experience in the field of nursing?

My journey with UIC started in 1985, when I enrolled as a biology major with plans to attend medical school. But during my sophomore year, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with lymphoma and had to pause my education.

The care I received from nurses during multiple, lengthy hospital stays made a lasting impression on me. It was what ultimately shifted my career goals toward nursing. Getting back into school wasn’t easy, though. After treatment, I was already in my early twenties and considered more of an adult student trying to return. However, I eventually enrolled in an ADN program and graduated in 2002.

I spent the next several years working in various roles, from critical care and inpatient surgery to hospice case management and clinical research nursing. In 2021, I returned to UIC to complete my BSN through the RN to BSN program. Like many nurses returning to school after some time, I thought, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” The coursework felt so essential and so foundational to my practice.

Now, I’m in a master’s program, and I recently transitioned to work in an academic role. I’m the Nursing Skills Lab Coordinator at North Park University, working primarily with undergraduate students in their introductory skills lab. It felt like a huge accomplishment to finally earn my nursing degree more than 35 years after I first stepped onto UIC’s campus. I was proud to complete it at the place where it all started.

Key Skills Gained from UIC’s Online RN to BSN Program

The RN to BSN program gave me practical skills and a broader perspective on nursing. One of the most valuable things I took away was a deeper understanding of patient advocacy and the importance of being a culturally competent nurse. Even though I’d been working for many years, this academic foundation helped fill in some of the gaps in my practice.

The focus on cultural competence in nursing was significant. What we knew about this topic when I earned my ADN in 2002 is outdated. Today’s patient population is incredibly diverse, and the program helped me recognize how essential it is to keep growing in this area. Learning how to care for multicultural and newly immigrated communities in a truly patient-centered way has impacted how I approach care.

What to Expect from Online Learning in UIC’s RN to BSN Program

I would describe it as exceptionally organized. My advisors gave me a clear, accurate course plan from the start and stayed with me throughout the program. They sent timely reminders, answered questions quickly, and ensured I always knew what to expect.

The professors also put a lot of care into setting up our Blackboard courses. Everything was laid out, with all the needed information, even if you were logging in at 3 a.m. after a shift. The links worked, the instructions made sense, and there were no surprises.

I actually looked into other online RN nursing programs before UIC, and the difference was night and day. At UIC, communication was consistent, support was always available, and I felt fully set up to succeed.

Balancing the RN to BSN Program with a Full-Time Nursing Job

Honestly, that was my biggest worry and probably kept me from returning to school for so many years. I didn’t know how I was going to manage everything. To make it even more intense, I started the program right in the middle of the pandemic while working full-time in a clinical research nurse role at UIC.

Like many of my classmates, I was balancing a demanding job with school, so I knew I needed a solid game plan. Thankfully, the program provided a lot of support even before classes began. Kate Treadway, the program director, personally reached out to new students and clearly explained what to expect. The advisors were also incredibly detailed, which helped me map out a realistic plan before classes.

I blocked off small pockets of time before work, during breaks, or on weekends, and found that building study time into my calendar was key. I didn’t leave it to chance. I also set up a dedicated space at home and tackled assignments bit by bit, rather than all at once. That helped me stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

Even with the best time management, life happens, but the professors were supportive and understanding if I ever needed an extension. As someone in my late fifties, realizing I could do this was empowering. It just took planning, consistency, and a mindset of steady progress.

How UIC’s Online RN to BSN Program Advanced My Nursing Career

Right after graduating with my BSN from UIC, I was promoted from a research nurse role to project manager. What helped me in this new role was my experience working online during the UIC program. In project management, I had to coordinate remote meetings with committee members across different cities, and my primary communication with them was entirely online. My supervisor knew I completed the program online, which gave them confidence in my ability to handle this.

Throughout the program, we engaged heavily in online discussions and team-based exercises. I often served as team leader, responsible for kicking off each week, dividing workloads, and keeping everyone engaged. This experience prepared me to manage virtual teams and maintain consistent communication, which are crucial skills when working remotely. In healthcare today, collaboration often happens digitally, not only with colleagues but also with patients. UIC’s BSN degree program gave me the confidence and tools to succeed in this environment.

What was the Most Valuable Project You Completed in UIC’s Online RN to BSN Program?

The course that really stood out to me was NURS 352: Population Focused Nursing Care. It taught me so much about the social determinants of health. These factors influence a person’s well-being, quality of life, and health outcomes. One of the most impactful parts of the course was a community assessment project. We worked with a real Chicago-area community and partnered, virtually, with a public health nurse to evaluate that community’s health needs. It gave me a deep understanding of assessing and responding to real-life public health challenges.

That experience ended up shaping my current work in my master’s program and played a significant role in my ability to apply for the Schweitzer Fellowship, where I now lead a community health project.

How did UIC’s RN to BSN Program Prepare You for the Schweitzer Fellowship?

It’s truly a unique privilege to lead a public health project that serves a community in need, but even more so, it’s an honor to do this as a registered nurse and BSN completion student. The Online RN to BSN program at UIC gave me the inspiration and the skills to take on the rigorous Schweitzer Fellowship application process.

The process involved submitting a detailed proposal for a sustainable public health project.  The writing skills I developed at UIC helped me craft a strong submission, and the coursework taught me how to use evidence-based practices to support my ideas. I had to read research articles, apply critical thinking, and demonstrate that my proposed intervention could work, and UIC’s curriculum trained me to do exactly that.

My project focuses on supporting cancer survivors by helping them build a mindful self-care roadmap throughout their survivorship journey. It incorporates SMART goal-setting, something I learned at UIC, and includes both educational sessions and a digital component. Since UIC’s program is entirely online, I felt confident working in a digital format, something that’s becoming increasingly important for patient care and public health programs today.

Advice for Prospective Students Considering UIC’s Online RN to BSN Program

If you’re considering UIC’s Online RN to BSN program, absolutely do it! Honestly, don’t give it a second thought. It was one of the richest experiences because I had so much collaboration with everyone in the class. Even though we were working digitally and on different schedules, with some on day shifts, others on nights. The coursework is designed for constant, seamless communication, so you collaborate closely with your peers.

Whether the program takes 12 months or longer, that time will pass anyway. You can let it pass without doing it, or embrace the opportunity and push ahead. The support system in the program is incredible, and honestly, my only regret is not doing it sooner.

Also, realize you’re exactly where you need to be in your career when you start. Don’t kick yourself for not starting sooner; it’s something I was doing for a little while. Everyone in the program brings something valuable, whether you’re brand new to nursing, five years in, or like me, nearly 20 years in. That diversity of experience makes the learning richer and more meaningful.