Leigh Gressley
Master of Science in Nursing, 2008
Leigh Gressley had been working happily as a registered nurse (RN) at a private neurology practice. It wasn’t until she became friends with Susan, a new nurse practitioner and University of Phoenix alumna at her office, that she got the inspiration and confidence to pursue her education further.
Susan was Leigh’s driving force to earn her nurse practitioner degree and University of Phoenix was the vehicle that helped her accomplish her goals. Leigh was able to work at her job while attending school. In addition, she participated in the nursing bridge program, which gives RNs whose undergraduate degrees are in a discipline other than nursing, a way to pursue advanced degrees in nursing. Once the bridge courses are successfully completed, Leigh was able to begin to work toward her master’s degree.
After graduating, Leigh was hired by the neurology practice she worked for in Arizona. As a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, her roles and responsibilities expanded as she is able to assess, diagnose and treat patients and write prescriptions. She also works as a sub-investigator of a chronic migraine treatment trial by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Leigh’s advanced nursing degree has opened doors to new, exciting challenges and she urges others like her to continue their education. “Once you’re a nurse for a significant amount of time, you become an expert in your area,” she asserts. “Going back to school exposes you to another set of skills you can master.”
