Rachel Gouge
"What will stay with me most from my Norwich experience is how supported I felt through the program, even in an online format. The faculty were kind, responsive, and invested in my growth,"
Q: "Tell us about yourself: your family, friends, interests, and hobbies."
A: "Family is at the center of my life, and I am very active with paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, biking, running, and traveling. I also love learning, especially in my chosen profession, nursing! Staying active and finding balance between family, work, and personal growth is important to me and brings a sense of fulfillment."
Q: "Describe your professional background prior to enrolling, what motivated you to pursue this degree, and your long-term career goals."
A: "I began my healthcare journey as a volunteer EMT, advanced to AEMT, and later worked as an ED technician. Through these experiences, I discovered my passion for working in the hospital setting, which led me to become an LNA and then eventually pursue my RN through Vermont Technical College. I was then able to work full-time as an emergency department RN while I continued my schooling through Norwich, thanks to its flexible, supportive online program. I earned my BSN at Norwich and hope to keep advancing my clinical skills and take on leadership opportunities to make a meaningful impact in emergency nursing."
Q: "How have you applied what you learned in your role, and how has this degree impacted your career growth or direction?"
A: "This degree has broadened my perspective on nursing beyond bedside care, though I am still learning how to fully apply that new perspective in my current role. While I previously focused mainly on bedside nursing, I now find myself looking for additional ways to contribute and engage in opportunities outside of direct patient care. Going forward, I plan to seek out new roles and experiences that will allow me to expand my impact within nursing, including leadership and professional development opportunities."
Q: "What will stay with you most from your Norwich experience, and what advice would you give to prospective students?"
A: "What will stay with me most from my Norwich experience is how supported I felt through the program, even in an online format. The faculty were kind, responsive, and invested in my growth, and it was meaningful to finally meet a few of them at the end of the program. My advice to future students is to go into the program being open to growth, both personally and professionally, and to trust the process as it helps shape you into a more confident and well-rounded individual."
Q: "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your experiences at Norwich or the impact of Norwich on your life?"
A: "I am glad I chose to complete my BSN through Norwich University. It was a positive experience that challenged me while fitting into a busy season of my life. I expected to dislike the long papers, but I found them engaging, particularly when I could choose topics like AI in emergency nursing or pediatric emergency care coordination. The program was a strong fit for my learning style."
Q: "Why did you choose Norwich University Online? What influenced your decision to pursue an online program, and which aspects of the online learning experience proved most beneficial to you?"
A: "I chose Norwich because I had heard very positive feedback about the program due to the flexibility of its online program format. This format allowed me to take one class at a time while still being able to work full-time and fulfill family responsibilities. Coming from a more traditional learning environment, it was unique and felt a bit strange never to meet my instructors in person. However, they were consistently supportive, responsive, and willing to assist whenever needed, which made the online format more manageable. It is also meaningful to me that now my son is attending Norwich in person, pursuing nursing, which makes the connection to Norwich even more special."
Q: "What were your expectations before starting the program? How did your experience compare, and what aspects stood out most to you?"
A: "Before I started the Norwich program, I expected my BSN coursework to feel like just more "schoolwork" on top of an already demanding nursing career. Though it was a challenging program, my experience ended up being far more meaningful than I anticipated. This program helped me grow as a more well-rounded nurse by broadening my perspective beyond bedside care. The coursework applied to my daily practice, and also helped me become more confident, community-minded, and leadership-focused in my role as an emergency department nurse."
