Jeanne Dumonchelle

Whenever Jeanne Dumonchelle visited a hospital, she was always impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of the nursing staff. So when she prepared to return to work full time after raising a family, nursing was at the top of the list of options.

“I had a bachelor’s degree in biology and was interested in the hard sciences, so I applied to the Community College of Baltimore County. When I learned about Towson University’s associate-to-bachelor’s nursing dual enrollment program that required just an extra semester of coursework, the decision was a no-brainer,” says Dumonchelle, who appreciated the program’s flexibility and the mix of traditional and and online courses.

“ After spending hours in the classroom, you have the chance to practice your nursing skills in your clinical rotations. ”

The dual program was rigorous and challenging for Dumonchelle, who was impressed by the increasing opportunities to interact with instructors and network with professionals. She particularly enjoyed her clinical rotations in community health.

“There are so many aspects to public and community health nursing and so many diverse areas in which to work,” she says.

Her clinical rotations included school nursing in the Baltimore County Public Schools, working with members of local parishes, and volunteering on site at the Helping Up Mission medical clinic and health fair.

“After spending hours in the classroom, you have the chance to practice your nursing skills in your clinical rotations,” she says. “They bring it all together.”

Always a strong student, Dumonchelle is now thinking of her next step. “I may go on for an advanced nursing degree to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice and work as a nurse practitioner. I like the aspect of putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together.”