Online, but not out of touch: A distance learner’s experience
Christine Garcia fondly remembers her time as a UC College of Nursing student. Although she never set foot in Procter Hall — or any other building on campus — the Virginia resident built lasting relationships with faculty and classmates and is a proud UC alumna after completing her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) last year entirely online.
“Socially, the relationship I built with my classmates sticks out,” she says. “At first, they were strangers, but we grew close and eventually became friends. We would bond over tough times throughout the program, and we finally met in person at graduation.”
In majoring in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Christine was most impacted by Christine Colella, DNP, APRN-CNP, FAANP, professor and executive director of graduate programs at the college.
“Prerecorded lectures can become somewhat of a routine, but her lectures were always very interesting,” Christine Garcia says. “She also gave advice on becoming a nurse practitioner and always remained encouraging, engaging and positive. She is a special gift. I had the honor of meeting her in person at my graduation last year.”
Christine Garcia, MSN
Christine keeps in touch with her classmates on social media where they share stories about working in the field. And as she looks back on her experience and her process of selecting UC for her graduate studies, she says she could not have made a better choice.
“I feel as though I am happy and in a rewarding position,” she says. “I also get really good feedback from employers when telling them I am a University of Cincinnati College of Nursing alumna. They are impressed by my completion of the rigorous program.”
Christine’s best advice for students is to identify their personal driver and keep that top-of-mind for motivation.
“There are going to be times when you question why you chose this profession,” she says, “but if you keep your goal and aspiration in your heart and mind, you can get through the program.”
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