After earning her bachelor's degree in 2014, Tara Moore worked for a few years as a mental health aid in a hospital. That experience exposed her to the healthcare industry, helping her find her true calling: nursing.
“I wanted something impactful, where I could help people day-to-day and also have flexibility in terms of working anywhere and it’s something that’s always in demand,” Tara said. “Nursing fit that.”
Bellarmine’s Accelerated BSN program, which takes one year to complete, was exactly what she was looking for. The program consists of three semesters with each semester divided into two sessions of about eight weeks and includes lots of real-life, clinical experience.
Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure through their state board of nursing and register for the NCLEX examination. Bellarmine graduates consistently score above national, regional and local pass rates.
Tara had transferred into Bellarmine as undergraduate in Psychology after she struggled in a larger school with much bigger class sizes. She loved her time at Bellarmine, finding success with the small classes and close relationships. She knew those characteristics would carry over to graduate studies, as well.
“Bellarmine is a great place. I love Bellarmine,” Tara said.
She said the one-year finish time was ultimately the deciding factor, along with Bellarmine’s reputation for excellence in the region’s healthcare sector.
“Bellarmine has a great reputation,” she said. “I saw that first-hand. Bellarmine produce nurses who actually care and want to take care of people.”
She got through the program and immediately landed a job in the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“I think they did a really great job preparing us,” said. “I liked that it was very condensed and fast and I got my BSN in a year,” she said. “I made friends and connections I still keep in touch with.”
Now, with three years of nursing experience under her belt, she’s looking to do travel nursing, with her first stop in San Diego, Calif.
“I’ve learned so much, I’m glad I got into nursing, it’s given me everything I wanted,” she said.
Bellarmine’s program is challenging, she said, but if you work hard, you’ll make it.
“If you put in the effort and ask what you can do to succeed and are willing to show up to office hours, you’ll succeed,” she said. “The staff are always willing to meet you there.”