In addition to dual-enrollment, Godinez has also been working full time. Although the workload has been tough, “there was never a time at any point that I was like, ‘There’s no way I could do this’,” she said. “The greatest factor is learning how to master time management, but really, it’s totally doable.”
Her biggest piece of advice to anyone considering the program? “Sit yourself down and know your limits, and really learn to discipline yourself before you take it on,” she said.
Godinez found it most helpful to map out her coursework in a daily agenda so she knew how her time would be divided between school, work and family. Then she openly communicated with her family members and employer so everyone was on the same page about her responsibilities, which proved to be a helpful part of her support system.
“It’s been really nice to have that support externally because then you just feel like you can do it; it gives you just a little bit more motivation,” she said.
“Everyone in the RN-BS program is so supportive, too.”Alissa Godinez
Godinez appreciated the program’s flexibility, choosing to take as many classes as she could over the summer even though that’s typically a season of relaxation. “Don’t get me wrong,” she said, “It kind of sucked. But then again, it was kind of like, ‘How badly do you want this?’”
“For me, I wanted to get it done because I wanted to apply for graduate school at this point. So I needed to get it done.”
Looking back, she now considers the ability to complete the program in only a year-and-a-half the most rewarding part of it all.
She is especially thankful for her advisor, who Godinez says always promptly replies to her questions and makes things easy to understand.
“Even though it was all remote, I felt like the communication was just as good as if it was in person,” she said. “I think the team that we have for the RN-BS program is great; they’re very helpful. I think it’s just a matter of getting the answers to your questions, and they’re there to answer it. I wish I could tell everyone who’s on the verge of wanting to do this, just ask! …Your advisor will be very transparent with you, it’s just a matter of just asking and taking that next step.”