For Leigh Moore, earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree had long been a dream. Currently working as the Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator at Southside Virginia Community College, she brought 46 years of prior experience in the field into NKU’s online DNP program, making what she described as an "impulsive, last-minute" decision to join her five colleagues in pursuing their doctorates. With the support of her friends and the flexibility of NKU’s online format, she says that facing the challenges of balancing her current career and furthering her education was a rewarding experience.

"I would tell anyone who is considering getting their DNP to just do it, don’t wait," Moore says. "I used every excuse under the sun: 'I'm too old. I'm too close to retirement. It's expensive.' I encourage you to look at avenues for scholarship. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship that paid for the whole program, except for around $1,600, and then our college reimbursed some of that. If I’d known I could have done that earlier, I wouldn't have waited until I was 65 years old to go back to school."

The online format of the NKU program proved to be a significant advantage for Moore, as it allowed her to seamlessly integrate her studies into her busy schedule.

"The engagement and the support of the faculty were very helpful," she says. "Even though it was an online format, I didn't feel like I was out there in nowhere land. Faculty were always willing to do a Zoom, do a phone call, respond to emails very rapidly, and to clarify things that weren't initially clear."

Moore's colleagues at Southside Virginia Community College also played a major role in her success throughout the program.

"We have a very unique group, and we’ve all worked together for a long time," Moore says. "I don't know if I could have done this with any other group."

While Moore does not plan to pursue advanced practice nursing or become a family nurse practitioner, she believes the DNP degree has broadened her perspective and enhanced her leadership skills.

One of the highlights of Moore's DNP journey was the pre-commencement celebration organized by the program. Rather than a traditional graduation ceremony, the event provided a more personal and meaningful experience for Moore and her fellow graduates. 

"I loved it," she says. "I enjoyed being able to meet my professors and be able to share the experience on a personal level.”