Excellence in Action: Krystal Rodgers' Journey from RN to BSN and Beyond
Rising to New Heights
When Krystal Rodgers took the stage as student speaker at Herzing University-Akron's 2024 graduation ceremony, she embodied the very excellence she spoke about. As a Magna Cum Laude graduate and Student of the Semester, Krystal's journey from RN to BSN demonstrates how determination and the right educational environment can transform both career and character.
A Strategic Step Forward
Already working as a nurse, Krystal seized the opportunity to advance her education through her employer's scholarship program. Her choice of Herzing University was strategic and well-researched.
"Herzing has a great reputation," she notes. "I have never heard anything negative about Herzing. Everyone that I spoke to at the school about enrolling was very knowledgeable."
Transformational Learning
The BSN program at Herzing did more than enhance Krystal's credentials – it revolutionized her approach to nursing.
"Herzing made me a better nurse," she reflects. "The research and projects that were required throughout the program taught me a lot about myself as well as healthcare. As a result, I am smarter and wiser, and I look at my profession in a different way."
Her academic journey was marked by impressive achievements. While maintaining her full-time nursing position, Krystal not only excelled in her studies, but also secured her CCRN certification in critical care. She made history as the first employee to graduate from her workplace's RN to BSN scholarship program, setting a precedent for future nurses.
Making a Community Impact
Krystal's commitment to healthcare excellence extended beyond the classroom. Through her community health project in Cleveland, she developed and implemented a hand-washing education program for children and adults, helping to reduce communicable diseases in the community. This practical application of her studies demonstrated her ability to translate academic knowledge into real-world impact.
The culmination of her journey was particularly memorable.
"Graduation was professional and I was honored to speak," she shares. "The mayor of Akron was there and so were many other important people. I even met the President of the school, who was an absolute delight."
Today, Krystal not only continues her work, but has also taken on a new role as a Clinical Instructor teaching LPN students, passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of nurses. This dual role as practitioner and educator exemplifies the leadership qualities Herzing strives to develop in its students.
To future students, Krystal offers powerful advice born from experience:
"Push through! Even when it's hard or when you feel like you want to throw in the towel, push through because it is all worth it in the end!”