FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2008

MUW helps nontraditional student reach his goal

By Jill D. O’Bryant

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- At age 57, a college degree is still within reach.
Just ask Dean Giesbrecht who is scheduled to graduate from Mississippi
University for Women’s Associate of Science in Nursing program this
May.

“It feels good to be near the completion of pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing,” said Giesbrecht who is a Mennonite from Macon. “Having that degree will be worth all the hard work and the time I have devoted to it because of the fulfillment that a career of service to others will bring.

“I would say to anyone my age thinking about getting a degree that it will take perseverance and a committed attitude.”

The road to a degree for Giesbrecht began in September 2003 when he was advised by MUW and referred to the Greater Columbus Learning Center for a GED.

“We saw him again in March of 2004 for scheduling of classes for the fall of 2004 and continued advising him for two to three courses a semester until he was selected to enter into the ASN program in the fall of 2006,” said Mary Jo Kirkpatrick, chair of the ASN department. “He will graduate this May and has done extremely well while in the program.”

But why nursing, and why MUW?

Giesbrecht said his mother was a licensed practical nurse, his sister-in-law is a graduate of the ASN program at MUW and his wife completed two years of the education program at MUW.

He said, “I read an article in the newspaper about nurses and rather lightly stated, ‘I think I’ll be a nurse.’ Some of my family were in the living room and replied, ‘Go for it.’ I thought seriously about it, prayed about it and sought counsel in making my decision. I checked the requirements for entering the program and have proceeded from there.”

Still, nursing would be quite a switch for someone who presently farms,
producing corn, soybeans and catfish.

“Becoming a registered nurse at my age and in my setting is, in a way, a rather unexpected event,” Giesbrecht said. “However, the principles and skills of nursing that I have learned are enhancements to understanding and appropriately caring for those for whom I will be responsible. I have prayed for conviction to serve as the Lord sees best.”

Giesbrecht feels his experience at MUW has prepared him well for his future plans of employment in the emergency room at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

“The ASN program is a challenging and integrated program,” he said. “I appreciate the competence of my instructors and the learning atmosphere of a good classroom setting.

“The friendships and education I have gained at MUW are part of an unforgettable life experience. I am thankful to all who have contributed so graciously in so many ways.”

For more information about MUW’s nursing programs, please contact the
College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology at 662-329-7299 or
visit www.muw.edu/nursing.