Chasing a Dream, Thirty Years Later
Posted on April 22, 2025 by College of Nursing
After 30 years working as a licensed practical nurse, Lisa Daniels is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the LPN to BSN Pathway at the University of South Alabama.
“I’d been trying to go back to finish classes and get an associate degree just because it was the next rung on the ladder. I never even imagined going for my bachelor’s,” Daniels said.
The online LPN to BSN Pathway is specifically designed to meet the needs of licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses with a current LPN license.
Both of her children, Ryan and Victoria, studied nursing at South, so Daniels was already familiar with the University when the program launched. While raising a family, she had every intention of furthering her education, but it was harder than expected to find a program that targeted working nurses. When she saw an announcement about South’s LPN to BSN Pathway, she knew it was an opportunity meant for her.
“I saw the LPN to BSN program pop up online while I was searching up something for the kids, and I was like, ‘You have to be kidding me. What?!’” Daniels said with a smile.
As a child, Daniels dreamed of helping others, so when the opportunity to work as a hospital volunteer came about, she took it. In high school she began working as a certified nursing assistant and later completed her certification as an emergency medical technician before becoming a licensed practical nurse.
“I couldn’t imagine ever doing anything else,” Daniels said.
Over the years, nursing has allowed Daniels to work in a variety of healthcare settings including long-term care facilities, home health, medical-surgical nursing, urgent care, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine and school nursing. She currently works at Gulf Shores Middle School as a school nurse supporting students in special education and helping them reach their goals.
Working full time can create challenges for anyone hoping to go back to school, but the online structure of the LPN to BSN program has helped Daniels find her stride.
“It’s a lot of long nights listening to lectures and making sure you’re doing all the school work and doing everything properly. It’s hard, but the instructors, the faculty, have been amazing helping to navigate and figure out the program,” Daniels said.
For Daniels, the moment she received her white coat on Feb. 19 with her husband and son in the audience was surreal.
“It was very emotional because I had kind of given up on the idea that I would ever complete my degree,” Daniels said with tears in her eyes. “I know I’m not done with it yet, but to be here and to finally be trying to see that goal and for it to be a bachelor’s degree, which I had never even thought about getting. It was really special. Yeah. It was really special.”
Daniels plans to graduate in summer 2026 and is excited about the opportunities a bachelor’s degree will provide. When asked if she has any advice for someone interested in the LPN to BSN Pathway, she shared three words.
“Absolutely do it!”