Tamara Tuller
British Columbia, Canada
Indiana State University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A life-changing event is what led Tamara Tuller to enroll in an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. She was immigrating to Canada with her Canadian husband, who owns a fishing resort there. “I wanted my education to be on par with the standards for registered nurses in British Columbia,” Tamara said.
Tamara chose to earn her bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University with help from The College Network®, and she admits that she was nervous about online education. “It was very hard to do my classes online at first because I was so computer illiterate when I started, but I figured it out. Then I really appreciated the flexibility it provided. I could even go to British Columbia before we moved to work on finishing our house and still keep up with my lessons.”
Tamara felt confident going back to school as an adult learner. “I found myself to be a better learner as an adult with years of experience in my field than I was a new high school graduate. I really enjoyed acquiring the information I was getting.”
Her favorite part of The College Network’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program was the flexibility. “I could study as much or as little as I was able and take my exams when I was ready for them.”
Developing a set study regime helped Tamara stay on track throughout the program. Her work schedule prior to moving to Canada consisted of working one week at a time and then having one week off—which she used as her study time. Tamara found a way to balance studying and spending time with her husband. “We ate our morning and evening meals together every day and spent a minimum amount of time doing much more than work and school. We also cleaned house together—the work got done faster, and we had more time together as well.”
Since earning her bachelor’s degree, Tamara has taken a new job that she enjoys. “I have taken a position as a home care nurse in a remote First Nations community near where my husband operates a fishing resort. What I learned in the completion of my degree prepared me for success in community nursing when all of my previous experience was in a hospital. They also offered teaching regarding other cultures and how to adjust one’s thinking to learn how those raised in a different cultural setting view life, health and the health care system. This has been invaluable.”
> Return to BS in Nursing Success Stories