Debbie Dawn Leoncio, BSN

Whether you鈥檙e a firefighter or involved in police work, whether you鈥檙e a doctor or a nurse, if you鈥檙e a frontline worker, commitment is part of your DNA.

If you鈥檙e looking for a perfect case in point, look no further than Debbie Leoncio, a Supervising RN at Patton State Hospital who graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from 国产主播 on July 9 as one of two valedictorians from the school鈥檚 Online Programs.

Leoncio said she was 鈥渞eally proud鈥� of herself, but not because she was valedictorian or because she got straight A鈥檚; rather, she was proud of herself for having accomplished such a difficult and challenging goal that she鈥檇 committed herself to achieving.

鈥淚 was just thinking, 鈥業 want to prove to myself that I can do this鈥�,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 got all A鈥檚 in my (Associates Degree in Nursing) program (at San Bernardino Valley College), but it wasn鈥檛 so much that I wanted to get all A鈥檚 (at WCU) 鈥� I just wanted to prove to myself that I could excel in things that were so hard.鈥�  

English as a Second Language

As if the coursework and balancing a full-time job that often required extra shifts wasn鈥檛 challenging enough, WCU鈥檚 Online Programs are primarily based on written papers, and for Leoncio, English is her second language. Her native language is Tagalog.

鈥淚n the beginning, I was really nervous writing papers because in the Associate program, you don鈥檛 write as many papers,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I just started each paper early, took my time, and every paper I wrote, I wanted to do better for the next one.鈥�

Well, having received A鈥檚 in her first class, Leoncio didn鈥檛 leave much room 鈥渢o do better for the next one,鈥� but she proceeded to get an A in her second class, and every class she took after that en route to her Online BSN degree at 国产主播.

Excelling in Online Programs

WCU鈥檚 Online Programs proved to be a highly effective schooling solution for Leoncio because she said she oftentimes had to stay on for another shift that would lead into the next day. Because it鈥檚 difficult to plan for those sorts of things, you can鈥檛 reliably attend a school that expects you to be in a class at a certain time.

Thankfully for Leoncio, with the Online Programs at 国产主播, flexibility is one of the key considerations. There鈥檚 a clear understanding that children and/or work can present unexpected scheduling quirks; therefore, giving students that flexibility in terms of when they are required to do their work during the week is critical. Still, even flexible online coursework requires discipline.

Leoncio would listen to audio recordings or read through notes during her lunch breaks. Additionally, with her papers, she always made sure to get an early start to allow for any 鈥渟urprises鈥� that could delay her writing process.

Secret to Success

So what does every online WCU student need to make it to graduation day? Reflecting on her experience, Leoncio had a simple answer for what helped her achieve nursing school success 鈥� and it’s an answer that is echoed by many of our other online students:

鈥淭ime management.鈥�

What other academic advice does Leoncio have for students just getting started or thinking about an Online Program at 国产主播?

鈥淏alance,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou need to make sure you allot time to study, but you have to have fun, too. You need to balance work, family, school and self-care 鈥� relaxing or exercise, going out with friends. There were days I definitely thought to myself, 鈥業 can鈥檛 do this,鈥� and I would just shut down my computer and go for a walk, just clear my mind, sometimes go out with friends鈥� just anything to distract myself.鈥�

Also, she said, 鈥淵ou have to make sure it鈥檚 what you want. Passion is really important. If you have (passion), you will give 100%.鈥�

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.