NCCU Alumni Stories: Sherika Lenoir & Ashley Adkins on Going Back to School for Nursing

Today’s dynamic health care system relies on an educated and engaged workforce. Research shows that baccalaureate-prepared nurses make a positive impact on patient outcomes and hospital success rates.

Updates to policies that are crucial to their daily operations, a rise in the number of patients they serve, and changes to their supply chains are just a few of the challenges that are forcing health care facilities across the country to adapt.

The American Hospital Association reports an expected shortage of more than 3 million health care workers by 2026, and the critical gaps in staffing that hospitals and health care systems are facing could affect access to vital care in their communities. In response to the ongoing demand, a wide range of types of health care organizations are offering competitive pay to attract and retain qualified staff.

Going back to school for nursing not only can enable individuals to help improve the quality of the health care provided to their communities but also can provide them with the professional development they need to advance in their careers and increase their earning potential. Consider the stories of two graduates of North Carolina Central University’s online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program: Sherika Lenoir and Ashley Adkins.

Sherika Lenoir: A BSN to Support Her Career Growth

Sherika Lenoir was in line for a promotion at work, but she was passed over. The person who received the promotion had a BSN degree, and she did not.

That was her lightbulb moment, rekindling her thoughts about going back to college.

“I knew that, eventually, most places were going to require a bachelor’s degree for employment,” Lenoir said. She wanted to future-proof her career.

Like other adult learners, Lenoir’s sense of urgency about beginning her educational journey didn’t align with most schools’ academic calendars. But NCCU Online’s Flight Path program offered five term start dates a year, allowing her to begin pursuing her degree on the timeline that suited her. She enrolled in NCCU Online’s RN to BSN program in October 2023.

Lenoir’s time in the program was busy and stressful, and the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene where she lives in western North Carolina only made things more difficult for her. She was without power and internet for a month. Luckily, she was able to continue her coursework by using her employer’s Wi-Fi and then spending some time with a family member in another part of the state while the area recovered.

She said without the flexibility the Flight Path program provided, she would have had to take time off from school during that period. But she made it through without taking any time off and graduated with her BSN degree.

Ashley Adkins: Flexible Education for Clinical Care

Ashley Adkins, a registered nurse in North Carolina, was planning on going back to nursing school and exploring programs when she came across NCCU Online’s RN to BSN program.

“I sent in my information, and within less than a week, I was already in the process of getting enrolled in the program and getting ready to go,” Adkins said. She officially began her RN to BSN program at NCCU Online in January 2024.

“I definitely feel like this program is tailored towards adult learners and those who are actively employed and those who have families,” she said.

From a young age, Adkins was aware of how important compassionate care is to people with complex needs. “I grew up with a terminally ill brother who had cystic fibrosis, and then my grandmother also had a stroke when I was about 10 years old. So caring for people has always been close to my heart.”

She has also worked as a travel nurse in prison systems. “I’ve really seen what it is like to be a vulnerable population in health care,” she said. “I want to be able to protect those vulnerable populations and give them the health care that they deserve.”

For Adkins, earning her BSN offered her an opportunity to grow as a nurse and further her leadership skills. Her goal is to advance in her career and become a nurse practitioner.

Thanks to the format of NCCU Online’s Flight Path program, Adkins was able to complete her coursework after work and on the weekends — helping her stay on track to meet her goal. “Taking two classes every eight weeks, I was able to work full time, get my education, and be a mom,” she said.

Adkins offers words of encouragement for anyone considering pursuing a life-changing education: “Don’t underestimate yourself. You are a lot more resilient than you think you are.” 

Choose the Right Program to Go Back to Nursing School

If you’re considering going back to school for nursing, make sure you find a program that fits your life and prepares you for career advancement. Online programs can enable you to maintain your current job and manage your other responsibilities while working on earning your degree. 

With eight-week courses and five start dates a year, NCCU Online’s RN to BSN program is designed for working nurses seeking career advancement. Learn how the NCCU Online Flight Path program is empowering students like Sherika Lenoir and Ashley Adkins to pursue their goals at a pace that works for them.

Recommended Readings

Dr. Yolanda VanRiel: A Nurse Educator’s Journey of Purpose, Practice, and Pride

Types of Nurses and Their Salaries

School-Life Balance: Nursing Education and Obligations

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet

American Hospital Association, “The Cost of Caring: Challenges Facing America’s Hospitals in 2025”

American Hospital Association, Fact Sheet: Strengthening the Health Care Workforce