Balancing Their Lives with Their Dreams

Despite having to juggle the care of four kids, fulltime jobs, and all their other activities, Tyson ’19 and Jesse Branscomb ’19 graduated from Mount Mercy with degrees in health care administration and RN–BSN, respectively.

Tyson came to MMU from Kirkwood Community College, seamlessly transferring his credits between the two schools. Jesse had always planned on pursuing her RN–BSN, but between pregnancies, work, and time constraints it was challenging to find a program that worked with her busy schedule—not against it.

“Tyson and I had been talking for a while about how much he was enjoying the program and how helpful everyone was,” said Jesse. “I received an email one day from MMU about the accelerated program and that there were only a few days left to register for classes, so I went for it. Now the rest is history.”

Jesse enrolled in the online RN–BSN program, and suddenly the couple was on their ideal degree path. Even though both parents were enrolled in two different programs at the same time, none of their classes overlapped.

“The flexibility of MMU’s program was key to our success,” added Tyson. “We were both adults returning to school in our early 30s who are also working to raise our four children.”

After graduating, Tyson continued his work at a long-term care facility in the couple’s hometown of Solon, Iowa. Jesse, now in a master’s program, plans to enroll in MMU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2021.

While neither graduate’s career changed directly after graduation, the couple has high hopes for the future.

“My role at work hasn’t changed since graduating with my BSN, but I feel I’m more aware of how I interact with students, new grad employees, and management,” said Jesse. “I have also joined new committees at work seeking new ways to improve patient satisfaction and care.”

Tyson plans to enroll in MMU’s MBA program to make him more marketable in the health care industry.

“My biggest piece of advice to anyone who is thinking about starting at MMU is just do it! I wish I wouldn’t have waited as long as I did to enroll,” said Tyson. “Although juggling a family, career, and school can be challenging, the flexibility of the programs and support from all of the MMU staff made it a reality for both of us.”