Meet Fisher Nursing Online Students

The Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher University offers four online nursing programs to help students integrate clinical knowledge and decision-making skills into their practice. No matter the program, our students graduate ready to provide compassionate, effective care to diverse populations. Hear directly from our online M.S. in Nursing students below.

Dawn M. Logsdon, B.S., R.N.

Current location: Wyoming, NY

Dawn M. Logsdon, B.S., R.N., comes to the Wegmans School of Nursing with more than 10 years of experience as a nurse. She earned her associate-level R.N. degree from Genesee Community College in 2010 and obtained her B.S. in Nursing from Keuka College in 2015. She is a mother, a full-time staff R.N. on an acute mental health unit at Wyoming County Community Health System, and a part-time student in Fisher’s online PMHNP program.

Why did you decide to earn your M.S. in Nursing with Fisher Nursing Online?

I started looking for online PMHNP programs because I didn’t want a program where I would have to drive to class, especially in the winter. The application and admission process through Fisher was awesome. My admissions advisor was excellent and helped me through every step of the process. Even before I was a student, I felt welcomed and a part of the Fisher family.

What excites you most about the program?

I can do everything online and still attend to my hectic home life and work schedule. It is a fast-paced program but doable. I was worried about feeling disconnected or on my own in this journey, but every faculty and staff member I have encountered has been invested in my success.

Is there a course you particularly enjoyed? If so, why?

The one that surprised me the most was the informatics course. It was nothing I expected, and I have learned so much about current and upcoming technology in health care. This course made me excited about the future of nursing.

Why do you think pharmacists are important, specifically right now?

Nurses have always been extremely important and will continue to be, moving into the future. Nurses bridge the gap between patients and providers. They help patients understand what is going on with their treatment and communicate concerns the patient has to the provider. Many times, a provider does not have much time to spend with a patient and some important information can get lost in the rush. The nurse helps to ensure all the patient’s needs are met.

After graduation, what is next for you?

After graduation I plan to practice in my local area. Psychiatric nurses are desperately needed, especially in rural clinics. I plan to work at my local mental health clinic and continue to work with the inpatient population as an additional psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Laura Pender, B.S., R.N.

Current location: Astoria, NY.

Laura Pender, B.S., R.N., earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Wegmans School of Nursing in 2016. She moved on to work in pediatric oncology at Roswell Park for a little over a year. In 2017, she relocated to New York City and worked as a bedside and charge nurse for a busy inpatient adult leukemia floor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is currently a full-time office practice nurse on an outpatient adult leukemia floor and a part-time student in Fisher’s online family nurse practitioner program. 

Why did you decide to earn your M.S. in Nursing with Fisher Nursing Online?

I knew my plans to live in New York City would be long-term, so I began to explore FNP programs around me. None of the schools in the NYC area gave me the feeling that Fisher did. I heard that Fisher had been planning to launch a fully online FNP program for a while, so I attended a few Graduate Nursing Open Houses, which solidified my desire to go back to Fisher for graduate school. I remembered how supported I felt during my undergraduate years, despite the program being incredibly rigorous. I also remembered how prepared I felt as a new graduate and I wanted to feel that way as an NP. So, I had to jump on the opportunity.

What is the best thing about earning your M.S. in Nursing online with St. John Fisher University?

The best thing is that I get to be a Fisher student while living in New York City. It’s the best of both worlds for me. I save so much time by not having to commute to campus for class each week. I can spend that time doing other things such as studying, cooking, working out, seeing friends, or spending time with my husband.

What are you looking forward to most about the experiential learning opportunities and field placements?

I love that we have the opportunity to practice new skills with our own hands before we perform those skills on actual patients. I am most excited that Fisher helps students find clinical placements—many graduate nursing programs do not. I am also really looking forward to sharing my areas of interest with my clinical coordinator and completing those locally in New York City. I think this will open many doors for networking and potential future positions or professional interests.

Why do you think nurses are important, specifically right now? 

Has there ever been a time when nurses weren’t important? As our population grows and life expectancy increases, there will be more people living with chronic conditions and they will require care from nurses. Nurses are the backbone of the health care field and have the ability to make an enormous impact on the lives of our patients and their families.

After graduation, what is next for you?

I am open-minded and excited to see what opportunities come my way through my clinical rotations. I know that whatever I choose to specialize in, I will have a strong foundation as a two-time graduate of the Wegmans School of Nursing. 

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