Three Chamberlain Degrees: The Determination of Jennifer Rogoz

Key Takeaways

• Jennifer Rogoz, DNP, RN, LTC-CIP, earned three Chamberlain University degrees: an RN-BSN, an MSN with a Nurse Educator specialization, and a DNP focused on Healthcare Systems Leadership.
• Her MSN built the teaching and curriculum skills she needed to move from bedside nursing into education.
• Her DNP expanded that foundation into systems-level leadership and program-wide change.
• She now works as an assistant professor and Accelerated Nursing Program coordinator at Saint Xavier University.
• She credits Chamberlain's flexibility and hands-on coursework with letting her keep working while she studied.

For Jennifer Rogoz, DNP, RN, LTC-CIP, three nursing degrees weren't the plan. They were the result of choosing, again and again, to grow a little further.

She began as a bedside nurse drawn to the mix of science and human connection nursing offers. Working in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation, she gravitated toward infection prevention and staff education, and noticed how much her choices affected entire units, not just individual patients.

Rogoz, who lives in Brookfield, Illinois, went on to earn an RN-BSN, then a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), all through Chamberlain University. Today she is an assistant professor and course coordinator at Saint Xavier University, where she also coordinates the Accelerated Nursing Program.

Choosing an MSN in Nurse Education

Her decision to pursue her MSN grew out of something she was already doing informally: teaching.

“As I gained experience in clinical practice, I found myself naturally stepping into teaching roles, whether orienting new staff, supporting peers, or helping patients and families better understand their care,” she said.

She chose Chamberlain’s Nurse Educator specialization because she wanted her teaching to rest on evidence rather than instinct, a choice shaped further by mentors who modeled strong leadership and teaching.

“I recognized that effective nursing education is critical to patient safety and quality outcomes,” Rogoz said. “I wanted to be more intentional and evidence-based in how I taught others.”

The MSN gave her tools in curriculum design, teaching strategy, and student evaluation, skills that carried directly into precepting and mentoring new nurses, her favorite part of clinical practice.

Returning for a DNP With a Healthcare Systems Leadership Focus

Rogoz took time before returning for her doctorate, and that gap, she said, is part of why the degree ended up mattering so much.

“The gap between degrees allowed me to gain real-world experience, which made my DNP work more meaningful and applicable,” she said.

By the time she re-enrolled, she was already leading initiatives like curriculum development and competency-based evaluation. She chose a Healthcare Systems Leadership focus because her interests had shifted from the classroom to the systems around it, and she wanted to “strengthen my ability to lead change, evaluate program effectiveness, and align education with evidence-based practice and national standards.”

Her DNP practicum centered on improving consistency in nursing education through standardized skill development and evaluation, work she later applied directly in a clinical nurse educator role.

How Nursing Degrees Shape Her Work Today

At Saint Xavier University, Rogoz teaches undergraduate nursing students while leading course development and supporting other faculty. She serves on the Program Assessment Committee, helping build the university's Systematic Evaluation Plan, and leads a state grant-funded project to build a Nursing Skills Procedural Manual that aligns training with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model.

“My MSN prepared me with the foundational skills needed to be an effective educator,” Rogoz said. “My DNP expanded that foundation by focusing on systems-level thinking and leadership. Together, both degrees have allowed me to function not only as an educator but also as a leader within the program.”

That work connects to a broader need. Nursing schools nationwide need faculty members, and that shortage is a top reason why qualified nursing students get turned away from programs each year.¹

Choosing Chamberlain University

Rogoz said she chose Chamberlain for its reputation in nursing education and for a structure that let her keep working while she studied.

“Chamberlain provided a strong foundation in both nursing education and leadership," she said. “The programs were structured in a way that allowed me to immediately apply what I was learning to my professional practice.”

She said the emphasis on evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and professional accountability prepared her for complex challenges in healthcare and academia. Her favorite part of all three programs was that each course offered knowledge she could put to use right away.

“The flexibility … allowed me to balance work and school, which made it possible to continue gaining real-world experience while advancing my education.”

She also credits the people around her. “I felt supported through faculty guidance, structured coursework, and accessible resources,” she said. “Faculty were responsive and provided meaningful feedback.”

Advice for Future Nursing Students

Rogoz first shared what worked for her: “Balancing responsibilities required strong time management and prioritization. I stayed organized, planned ahead, and remained focused on long-term goals. Having a support system, people to step in with family responsibilities, is so helpful,” she said.

Her advice to current or future students is built on her deep experience: “Stay organized, remain engaged, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Take advantage of opportunities to apply what you are learning to practice—it makes the experience much more meaningful.” 

And at the practicum stage? “Start early, stay organized, and choose a project that aligns with your current role or future goals. The most successful projects are those that are meaningful and applicable to real-world practice.” 

The Impact of Lifelong Learning

Looking back at her nursing education, Rogoz sees how it has shaped every part of her professional life. 

“Earning my degrees through Chamberlain allowed me to grow not only as a nurse, but as a leader and educator,” she said. “The experience has shaped how I approach teaching, leadership, and patient care, and continues to influence my work today.”

Chamberlain’s Range of Nursing Degree Programs

Rogoz’s path from RN-BSN to MSN to DNP reflects the range of options at Chamberlain University, which offers nursing education from entry-level programs through doctoral study. Each level builds on the last, so you can continue advancing your education as your goals shift.

Chamberlain is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its nursing programs are Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited. With six start dates per year and a culture of care designed to support students at every stage, Chamberlain offers nurses an opportunity to pursue lifelong learning on their own terms.

Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.com), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Chamberlain offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Fact-Sheets/Faculty-Shortage-Factsheet.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Degrees at Chamberlain University

What is Chamberlain's Nurse Educator specialization within the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program? 

Chamberlain’s Nurse Educator specialization is designed for nurses who want to teach, covering curriculum design, teaching methods, and student evaluation. 

What does the Healthcare Systems Leadership focus in Chamberlain's online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program involve? 

This DNP elective focus centers on leading change at the organizational level, evaluating program outcomes, and applying evidence-based practice across a system. 

Are Chamberlain University's nursing programs accredited? 

Chamberlain's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), MSN, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Can you work while completing an MSN or DNP at Chamberlain? 

Each RN’s professional and personal responsibilities and timelines are different, so it’s an individual choice. But Chamberlain designs its online graduate nursing programs with flexibility, so nurses can work while balancing their work and home life.

Accreditation

All Chamberlain programs/program options availability vary by state/location. Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ccneaccreditation.org. The Chamberlain University Doctor of Nursing Practice (delivered via distance education) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation.
 

By Chamberlain University