Tiffany Soudelier encourages her son to dream big, often telling him, “Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”
In 2022, she realized she needed to follow her own advice and earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Once she knew what she wanted to do, she needed to figure out how.
The 91Ƭ߹ۿ of Louisiana at Lafayette 100% online RN to BSN degree program gave her that pathway, allowing her to pursue her degree while maintaining her roles as a parent and critical care nurse.
Balancing Family, Work, and School
When Soudelier first decided to pursue her career in nursing, she enrolled in UL Lafayette’s on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
The LHC Group · Myers School of Nursing is nationally recognized as a Center for Excellence in Nursing Education.
But life intervened and Soudelier withdrew, eventually launching her nursing career in her hometown of Chauvin, Louisiana, through an associate degree program.
Years later, the opportunity to complete her bachelor’s degree online through UL Lafayette gave her the chance to finish what she had started. With the flexibility of the program, Soudelier could continue to balance life as a mom and a nurse while working toward her degree.
“I work seven days on and seven days off. The online program allowed me to focus on my job, complete my assignments, and do things ahead of time before I returned to work,” she says.
“Being organized is key in this program. Having a set plan of due dates allowed me to complete my assignments on time and even be able to complete some ahead of time.”
Support from her family made the biggest difference. When she had to miss gatherings or step away from family time to focus on coursework, they were the ones who reminded her why it was worth it.
“School is challenging as it is, and having to juggle it with my family, work, and life was difficult,” she says. “But having a reliable, understanding support system with my husband, parents, and family made it so much easier.”
Turning Doubt into Achievement
The RN to BSN program pushed Soudelier outside her comfort zone, particularly with its emphasis on research and writing.
“I always felt I wasn’t capable of getting my bachelor’s degree because I knew it involved a lot of writing, and I didn’t think I could do it,” she says.
While associate nursing programs focus on clinical skills, the RN to BSN program teaches working nurses to apply evidence-based practice to their roles.
But what once seemed overwhelming became an opportunity to grow.
“I started recommending clinical trials or studies I had read to the physicians I work with,” she says. “We’ve even applied a lot of the research I’ve read in our practice.”
In fact, Soudelier’s capstone project will be incorporated into nursing workflow during bedside shift reporting.
In those moments, Soudelier saw just how far she’d come. She wasn’t just earning her degree — she was becoming a stronger nurse for her patients.
Next Chapter in Nursing
Earning her bachelor’s degree was a milestone Soudelier once thought was out of reach. Now, it’s just the beginning.
Motivated by the resilience that carried her through the RN to BSN program, she now hopes to earn her master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner.
“Why not continue setting goals and pushing myself to be the best I could be, like I wish for my family and my patients?” she says.
For her son, and for herself, this degree is proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
“There will always be struggles, and something will always happen that could set you off your path,” she says. “But choosing to be resilient will only make your goals that much more rewarding. “
Advance your career as a nurse through UL Lafayette's RN to BSN online degree program.
