Nursing was always the plan for Shownie Floyd, a native of Biloxi, Mississippi.
She earned her Associate of Science in Nursing while working in a private oncology office, but a move to Georgia opened her eyes to new possibilities.
“Once I got to Atlanta and started working around women oncologists, I realized I could do more than my associate degree,” says Floyd. “That's when I started looking into my bachelor's degree in nursing.”
When an upper manager, who had also started as a nurse assistant, recommended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s online RN to BSN program, Floyd knew she’d found the right fit.
“She started at the bottom and worked all the way up, and I admired that. So, when she said she went through UL Lafayette’s program, I really trusted that.”
Earning her BSN online gave Floyd the chance to reach the nursing goals she had always imagined and take control of her own career path.
A BSN That Fits
Balancing life, work, and school was never going to be simple. But UL Lafayette’s RN to BSN online program allowed Floyd to continue her career while earning the degree she always wanted.
She started slow and steady.
“I tried one class at a time and just chipped away. It was easy in the sense that I could work and do class at the same time, but it was difficult because of the computer and my age. But the instructors supported me.”
That faculty support became a lifeline. Mentors like Dr. Tara Horsley, RN to BSN Program Coordinator, kept her motivated when she felt like giving up.
“Even when I didn't have her as my instructor anymore, we kept in touch. Her words of encouragement, sharing her life experience with me… it made me feel like I could do it,’” she says.
The program’s online format didn’t mean isolation. Zoom sessions and discussions with instructors who were still active in nursing practice helped her stay connected to the real world of health care.
“I never thought that connection was possible online… And many of the instructors are still working themselves,” says Floyd.
“It’s nice to know they're doing the same thing as us. They're bringing in real-world experience and showing you that it’s doable.”
Life outside school didn’t slow down. Between battling COVID three times and supporting her son through his own health issues, Floyd had a lot to juggle.
The flexibility of UL Lafayette’s online program allowed her to take a leave of absence and return without losing credit for the coursework she’d already completed.
“It was very reassuring to know I could put my school on hold and still be in good standing to deal with that as a family.”
Inspiring Future Nurses
Earning a BSN degree transformed the way Floyd approaches her work in oncology.
The coursework helped her understand leadership, regulations, and the bigger picture of running a department. She now guides younger nurses with the wisdom she gained along the way.
“Those BSN classes helped me realize what my managers do beyond just applying it to the patient. It made me look at things differently when I’m being a preceptor to another nurse,” she says.
The degree also opened doors for new opportunities. Floyd is exploring nurse navigation and survivorship support roles, envisioning ways to stay close to patients while taking on leadership duties.
“If a managerial position opens and they have to choose between someone with an associate or a BSN degree, they're choosing the BSN-prepared nurse,” she says. “So, I’m thinking about what leadership role I can do without leaving the patient side, because I love being with the patients.”
She’s inspired to continue learning and uses her journey to encourage colleagues who might be unsure about going back to school.
“So many nurses I work with have reached out to me. I tell them to look at UL Lafayette’s program because it’s allowed me to achieve this. I hope I bring them to the table to accomplish the same thing I have.”
For Floyd, attending Commencement was a moment of closure after three challenging years.
Sitting in her cap and gown, she reflected on all that had happened: her daughter graduating from law school, her son overcoming serious health struggles, and the countless late nights balancing work, school, and family.
“When I sat there waiting to collect my degree, it was more than just a graduation. It was huge for me to be there that day.”
Advance your nursing career on your terms with UL Lafayette’s RN to BSN online degree program.
