Like the other students who are receiving a this weekend at UCF, Nadine Jacobson is a licensed registered nurse. But unlike her peers, she isn鈥檛 actively practicing as a result of losing her eyesight years ago.
For Jacobson, who has had the visual impairment for 25 years, the online program presented an opportunity for her to return to a profession she loves.
鈥淚 was intrigued to be able to do something in nursing without patient contact,鈥� she says.
Her journey to this degree 鈥� her second master鈥檚 in nursing and fifth overall 鈥� has been filled with challenges.
With a passion for caring for others, she pursued a career in nursing. After earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing, she initially worked at the bedside before joining the U.S. Air Force where she had the rank of captain, worked as a labor and delivery nurse, attended nursing flight school, and served during the Persian Gulf War.
鈥淢y plan was to go to medical school to become an obstetrician or midwife and deliver babies,鈥� she says. She even had completed all of her pre-med requirements while being a single parent and serving in active duty.
That journey, however, was cut short after a procedure to remove thyroid cancer triggered a reaction in her eyes 鈥� causing her vision to slowly deteriorate.
Despite the challenges of her disability and in life, she continued to care for others as now a mother to five children and she continued to pursue an education, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology, master鈥檚 degree in nursing health policy and a law degree.
While juggling the demands of being a mother and a student, she earned good grades and was an active community volunteer 鈥� even serving as president of her son鈥檚 basketball booster club.
鈥淚鈥檝e had a lot of unfortunate things happen to me, but who doesn鈥檛,鈥� Jacobson says. Her advice for other students, 鈥淔ocus on what you鈥檙e doing today or this semester. That is what you need to worry about.鈥�
After practicing law for several years (she had to close the practice to focus on her family), she returned to school and enrolled in the 鈥� one of only a few nationwide.
During the program, she needed to complete clinical rotation and worked alongside renowned simulation expert and nurse practitioner in a Central Florida clinic.
鈥淚 really enjoyed it, as I really miss being able to be a nurse,鈥� Jacobson says. 鈥淚 still have a lot of nursing knowledge, and it was great to tap into that and belong in that group again.鈥�
She also spent three days in UCF鈥檚 .
鈥淭hey were really excellent at providing accommodations for me,鈥� she says. Those accommodations included hooking up Jacobson鈥檚 27-inch iMac, her 鈥渨indow to the world.鈥�
In the program at UCF, one class in particular stood out.
鈥淯CF鈥檚 evidence-based practice class is outstanding,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 learned so much and I enjoyed it a lot.鈥�
In fact, it sparked a desire to learn more and she鈥檚 now pursuing an evidence-based practice certification.
Jacobson planned to walk across the stage at UCF鈥檚 Spring 2023 commencement for the very first time since nursing school 40 years ago, but unfortunately, is needed to care for family. Fortunately, she will have another opportunity.
Her commitment to lifelong learning is not stopping with this degree. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in nursing science, a certificate in nurse coaching, and a graduate certificate in medical writing and editing at other universities. She also recently earned certifications in Python and machine learning, which she plans to use in her data analysis for her doctoral degree and in other research environments.
For Jacobson, knowledge is power and she plans to use that power to help others through advocacy for other nurses with disabilities.
鈥淲e should support each other, and support our fellow nurses with disabilities.鈥�
鈥淭here is a lot they can do, and they can still make contributions to the profession,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e should support each other, and support our fellow nurses with disabilities.鈥�
She is leading by example and, with her degrees, will continue to make contributions to the profession by advancing nursing science through research. She is first focused on validating nurse coaching.
鈥淚 think nurse coaches can do a tremendous amount, and fill the gap a lot in healthcare,鈥� she says.
