An immigrant from Jamaica, West Indies, Dr. Olieth Lightbourne has spent 41 years building a legacy as a compassionate leader in the healthcare field. Her journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of giving back—both in her local community and around the world. In September 2024, she proudly graduated with high … Keep Reading
The operating room is a place where precision, collaboration, and excellence converge to save lives. For Dr. Ray-an Talatala, DNP, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC, FAORN, it is also a dynamic space where leadership, mentorship, and cultural identity intersect, redefining what it means to be a perioperative nurse in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Professional Background I … Keep Reading
We are honored to count Dr. Jemal Umer amongst the graduates of Aspen University! Jemal completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice program in April 2025. Keep reading to learn about his persistence through a tumultuous educational journey and his accomplishments along the way. I am proud to be the first in my family to … Keep Reading
Many Aspen students begin their BSN program with a clear career path in mind, already focused on a specific area of nursing. But what if you’re still exploring your options? Choosing a career path can feel overwhelming. One of the best ways to narrow your focus is by reflecting on the courses that excited and … Keep Reading
As we move forward into 2025, we take pride in reflecting on the last year of dedication and celebrating the remarkable achievements of our graduates. Among them is Mary Ramsammy, who earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Education in April 2024. Join us as we share Mary’s inspiring journey … Keep Reading
Each of Aspen University’s MSN programs includes a practicum course, where students implement a quality improvement project in a health-related setting. This project offers a valuable opportunity to apply newly acquired knowledge directly to your practice. While the practicum may initially seem daunting—due to the logistics of securing a site and preceptor, as well as … Keep Reading
Dr. Ofafa is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in improving nurse retention, implementing competency-based nursing workforce solutions, and improving healthcare quality. She is passionate about empowering nurses at the point of care and is a huge advocate for diversity and equity in nursing. Karen serves as the Director of Transition to … Keep Reading
Dr. Kami Kloster earned her DNP from Aspen in August 2024. She has a background as an operating room nurse who focused primarily on patient advocacy, and is currently a nursing faculty member at a local community college, working to improve nursing education. Her doctoral research focused on non-pharmacological music interventions to reduce agitation in … Keep Reading
Aspen University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony was a memorable celebration of this year’s graduates! Among them was Dr. Jamie Hilbert, who completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice program in March 2024. We’re pleased to share Dr. Hilbert’s insights from her doctoral project, plans for the near future, and words of encouragement for students currently working toward … Keep Reading
Today’s story is one of profound resilience. Erica Montoya defied the expected outcome of a challenging upbringing through years of hard work and dedication. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Administration and Management and graduated with honors in April 2024. Erica is the winner of Aspen University’s 2024 Commencement … Keep Reading