Rebecca Squier

Posted on February 17th, 2021 by Travis Dix

Rebecca Squier is a graduate student from Danville, currently working at Moses Cone Emergency Room as a registered nurse. Squier is a 2020 Bachelor of Science in nursing alumna, and expects to graduate in 2023 with a Master of Science in nursing degree as a family nurse practitioner and emergency nurse practitioner.

What is an average day like for you in your graduate program?

“I spend about three hours reading and studying, two hours on discussion boards and miscellaneous course work; then it’s whatever quizzes or papers need completing. I’ll have at least two full days of schoolwork to do at my house each week. Sometimes, I have reading in addition to my two dedicated study days.”

Why did you decide to continue your education at Averett?

“Averett has been an inclusive place to be. I have always felt like my cohort was my family, and I wanted to continue that as I continued my education. I have enjoyed associating with the nurses and staff at Averett. They are all phenomenal, and they help you figure out how to navigate through your courses. The staff will schedule and locate your clinical, which took a huge burden off my shoulders.”

How do you believe Averett will help you with your degree?

“The staff is very helpful with any concern I have, and they will try to accommodate me no matter how big or small the question. The courses are laid out two at a time in seven-week blocks, and it makes it easier when you work full time.”

What do you like best about the University?

“I most enjoy the family atmosphere. The ‘one team, one Averett’ slogan really does ring true. It’s a private school on a small campus, and you can definitely feel that. You can feel the personalization in all of your classes, even at the graduate level. I feel connected with my instructors and the various staff at Averett. I feel like I can see everyone as a person, even at a professional level.”

Why did you choose your path of study?

“My interest in the medical field started when my mom was going through cancer treatments when I was 10 years old. No one ever babysat me, and so I would have to go with her to Duke for her treatment. I asked everyone I could at the hospital what they were doing. In my mind, they were the heroes saving my mom’s life. I wanted to be a neurosurgeon at 10. After I figured out I would never have a life outside of school, I decided to be a doctor. While at Tunstall High School, I completed my EMT courses. As I got more into EMS work, I felt like nursing was more for me. Being a nurse practitioner was somewhere in the middle of the nursing field, and that fills my nurse heart. It’s the dream I didn’t know I had since I was 10 years old.”