Name

Jodi Lehr

School

Wayne State University

Degree Program

First year Master of Science student in Nursing with a specialization in Pediatric Primary Care

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lourdes College, 2008

Research Interests

Parental uncertainty and spinal bifida; fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol preference

Advisor

Sarah LeRoy

Hobbies

Running, scrapbooking

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected Wayne State University’s nursing masters degree program for several reasons. I liked that it has a reputation for excellence in my area, but still costs less than both University of Toledo and University of Michigan. I also wanted to get a degree that would let me work alongside a doctor. More importantly, however, I have always had a passion for helping children and this degree will open doors to pediatric primary care for me.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

What prepared me most for graduate school was my work in the field. I had already experienced pediatric primary care firsthand and had learned the limitations of my bachelors degree. Knowing what areas I’m weak in and what knowledge I need to gain has prepared me to focus my energy in my masters program.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

My personal statement explains that I wanted to return to school so that I could become a more knowledgeable medical professional. I also talked about my passion for health promotion and disease prevention through the education of parents and caregivers.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

For my letters of recommendation, I approached faculty who I had stayed in contact with over the years. My undergraduate school was small, so it had been easy to build relationships with professions while I was getting my bachelors degree.

What types of questions were asked in your admissions interview?

In my admissions interview, I was asked about my knowledge of Wayne State University’s nursing program, the field and my work history. I think that they wanted to figure out what parts of their program would be easy or hard for me and why I had applied to their program instead of other programs in the area.

They also asked me about healthcare reform and other areas of concern in the field. The ways I felt I could address those issues with my graduate degree seemed important to them.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in nursing?

Yes, I advise students who are considering applying to a nursing program to prepare for the workload. I spent a few years away from school and when I came back, I was not prepared for the amount of coursework that is required. In my opinion, this degree demands much more of me than my bachelors degree in nursing did.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My program requires 2 years of coursework. I will spend my first year in a classroom. In my second year, I will work in clinical settings like doctor offices, hospitals or ICUs, although I think that my specialty may determine where exactly I will end up working.

Does your program have an internship component?

Yes, my program requires a 1-year internship in the final year. Depending on the specialty of the student, he or she may work in several settings. My internship will require a weekly commitment that includes 3 working shifts lasting 12 hours each and attending a 4-hour class.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor has played a very small role in my education so far. My only contact with her has been to submit a plan of study for my 2 years in the program, which she approved. She has not contacted me since.

Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

No, my nursing program does not require me to take comprehensive exams before I can graduate, but I will have to sit for my nursing certification exam after I graduate. The certification exam is administered by the state and I think that the exact requirements to sit for it are different in every state.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

I think that the biggest difference between my masters and bachelors programs has been the independence. I find that I spend much more time reading and learning outside of a classroom than I did in my undergraduate studies.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

My nursing program costs tens of thousands of dollars each year, although I think that many states are offering scholarships to encourage people to fill vacancies in this field. The secondary costs for me, so far, have been about $900 a year for books, as well as parking costs, which I have found to be surprisingly high.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education through a $44,000 scholarship from the state of Michigan, and with my credit cards. Like many states, Michigan is offering scholarships to help fill its need for primary care providers. I applied for it through my university, which required an interview, resume and a high undergraduate GPA.

How difficult do you anticipate it will be to pay off your loans after graduation?

Although I am not taking out any student loans, I do have extensive debt on my credit cards, which I have been using to cover part of my tuition. However, salaries for nurses with masters degrees are very high, so I do not anticipate having any difficulty paying off my credit cards.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters degree in nursing?

The time commitments for a masters degree in nursing are challenging. Classes are in the evenings, once a week in 3-hour blocks. I take 3 courses in a trimester and spend 9 hours a week in class. I also spend about 21 hours a week on the homework for those courses.

The internship in the second year requires one 4-hour class and three 12-hour shifts in a clinical setting. The homework for the second year takes between 12 and 20 hours a week. So, the weekly time commitment ends up being 30 hours for the first year and about 60 hours for the second year.

How has graduate school affected your family life?

The effect of graduate school on my family life has been that it limits the time I can spend with my husband and baby. I recommend that women who pursue this program try to wait to have children, although working, doing a graduate program and taking care of a child has been doable for me. I think that one major benefit of Wayne State's format is that its courses are in the evening, which allows my husband to watch the baby while I am at class.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I want to be working as a primary care nurse in cardiology or endocrinology. I would also like to teach and pursue my doctoral degree.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in nursing?

I would tell a student who is interested in a masters degree in nursing that the degree can increase salaries and open career doors. From what I have seen, nurses with an undergraduate degree can earn around $50,000 a year, but certified nurse practitioners can make around $100,000. I think that this salary reflects the number of openings for nurse practitioners on the job market. The shortage of people with my degree also means that most graduates can choose their career settings, from hospitals to research labs.