Skip to main content
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Menu

Main navigation redesign

  • Programs
    • Bachelor's Programs
      • Nursing
        • Bachelor Of Science in Nursing (BSN)
        • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online
        • RN to BSN Option
      • BSN Campus Locations
        • Phoenix, AZ
        • Irwindale, CA
        • Sacramento, CA
        • Jacksonville, FL
        • Miramar, FL
        • Atlanta, GA
        • Stockbridge, GA
        • Addison, IL
        • Chicago, IL
        • Tinley Park, IL
        • Indianapolis, IN
        • New Orleans, LA
        • Troy, MI
        • St. Louis, MO
        • Las Vegas, NV
        • Charlotte, NC
        • North Brunswick, NJ
        • Columbus, OH
        • Houston, TX
        • Irving, TX
        • Pearland, TX
        • San Antonio, TX
        • Tysons Corner, VA
    • Master’s Programs
      • Nursing
        • Master Of Science in Nursing (MSN)
        • Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
        • Family Nurse Practitioner
        • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
        • Graduate Certificates
        • RN to MSN Options
        • Accelerated MSN
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Master of Public Health
        • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
        • Master of Social Work
    • Doctorate Programs
      • Nursing
        • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • Certificates
      • Nursing
        • Nursing Certificates
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Public Health Certificate
  • Admission
    • Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • Curriculum and Catalogs
    • Become a Student
      • Military Information
      • Transfer Students
  • Financial Aid
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
      • Tuition and Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Aid Forms
      • Partnerships
    • Financial Assistance
      • Scholarships
      • Federal and State Grants
      • Applying for Federal Aid
      • Work Study
      • Loans
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
  • Why Chamberlain
    • Our Story
      • History
      • Our Vision
      • Chamberlain Care
      • Diversity and Inclusion
    • About Chamberlain
      • Leadership
      • Campus Locations
      • Newsroom
      • Blog
      • Accreditation
      • Student Consumer Information
      • Alumni

Mobile Secondary Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Mobile Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Prospective Students
  • Transfers
  • Military
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Employers
  • Transcripts

Top Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Information For
    • Current Students
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfers
    • Military
    • Alumni
    • Partners
    • Employers
    • Transcripts
  • Chat
  • 877.751.5783
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Main navigation redesign

  • Programs
    • Bachelor's Programs
      • Nursing
        • Bachelor Of Science in Nursing (BSN)
        • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online
        • RN to BSN Option
      • BSN Campus Locations
        • Phoenix, AZ
        • Irwindale, CA
        • Sacramento, CA
        • Jacksonville, FL
        • Miramar, FL
        • Atlanta, GA
        • Stockbridge, GA
        • Addison, IL
        • Chicago, IL
        • Tinley Park, IL
        • Indianapolis, IN
        • New Orleans, LA
        • Troy, MI
        • St. Louis, MO
        • Las Vegas, NV
        • Charlotte, NC
        • North Brunswick, NJ
        • Columbus, OH
        • Houston, TX
        • Irving, TX
        • Pearland, TX
        • San Antonio, TX
        • Tysons Corner, VA
    • Master’s Programs
      • Nursing
        • Master Of Science in Nursing (MSN)
        • Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
        • Family Nurse Practitioner
        • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
        • Graduate Certificates
        • RN to MSN Options
        • Accelerated MSN
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Master of Public Health
        • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
        • Master of Social Work
    • Doctorate Programs
      • Nursing
        • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • Certificates
      • Nursing
        • Nursing Certificates
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Public Health Certificate
  • Admission

    Admission

    Our team is with you every step of the way, providing the information you need to make the decisions that best serve you.

    • Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • Curriculum and Catalogs
    • Become a Student
      • Military Information
      • Transfer Students
    smiling doctor with a young child
    Find My Program

    Find the path to your healthcare career goal.

  • Financial Aid

    Financial Aid

    Get support as you navigate paying for your education. Request information to connect with our admission team to discuss your financial options.

    • Tuition & Financial Aid
      • Tuition and Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Aid Forms
      • Partnerships
    • Financial Assistance
      • Scholarships
      • Federal and State Grants
      • Applying for Federal Aid
      • Work Study
      • Loans
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
    smiling doctor with a young child
    Find My Program

    Find the path to your healthcare career goal.

  • Why Chamberlain

    Why Chamberlain

    Chamberlain University has a 130-year history preparing extraordinary nursing graduates and healthcare professionals. 

    • Our Story
      • History
      • Our Vision
      • Chamberlain Care
      • Diversity and Inclusion
    • About Chamberlain
      • Leadership
      • Campus Locations
      • Newsroom
      • Blog
      • Accreditation
      • Student Consumer Information
      • Alumni
    smiling doctor with a young child
    Find My Program

    Find the path to your healthcare career goal.

Secondary Header Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Featured

group of smiling nurses studying and collaborating
Are RN to BSN Nursing Programs Worth It?
caregiver with patient in a home setting
Preparing for Your Career as a Family…
Three male nurses smiling with their hands on each other's shoulders
6 Reasons Men Are Choosing a Career in…

Tags

Browse articles by category
Alumni
Campus News
Careers
Health Professions
Nursing Today
Tips for Students

Share

Blog Social Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Campus News
  • A Future in Nursing Education Guided by Past Experiences

A Future in Nursing Education Guided by Past Experiences

March 14, 2018 by Chamberlain University
Jennifer couvillon headshot

Jennifer Surgala Couvillon, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, Campus President – New Orleans, shares details about her nursing career path and journey to her current role as president of the New Orleans campus.  

There’s a saying – your future is often guided by the past – and that saying has held true for me throughout my education and career. While at Georgetown University, as a student in their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, I found that every time I said “yes” to an opportunity, a new door opened and my journey aligned with past passions.

Impacting Lives in a Critical Way

I began my career as a nurse technician in a critical care unit which led to an opportunity to serve patients in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) at Georgetown University Hospital. Patients in a critical situation challenged me, and I found that my organization and critical thinking skills were a necessity. I also found that the process of communicating to my patients and their families regarding their future allowed me to be a teacher and impacted their lives in a way I had never before experienced. It was offering care at the bedside that helped me understand that a nurse is honored when the patient and their family welcome you into their lives in a time of health crisis or triumph.

While in the ICU, an instructor needed coverage teaching students during a personal leave of absence. After being recognized as being passionate about my job, they asked me to fill in. It was at this point that I learned about the importance of energizing learners. I wanted to have an impact on their career. I was empowering students, but was surprised to find that it was also igniting a passion for teaching within me. My love for nursing continued as I taught the incredible responsibility to others.

Teaching the Next Generation

Teaching part-time led to a full-time appointment in academics. I served as a clinical instructor and was promoted to course coordinator, assistant professor and ultimately director of the program.

While a role in academics was not my original calling, I found I could empower others and personally impact more students. I wanted to share my passion for a career in nursing with as many people as possible. As a teacher, I found appreciation in continuous learning and accepted my fate – that I was a lifelong caregiver and learner at heart.  

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

I went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a family nurse practitioner specialty from Georgetown University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a research focus on Nursing Education and Technology from Duquesne University. Being a student and attending school while also working as a teacher helped me  have a heightened level of empathy for my student’s needs.  

I then served as a principal investigator of a federal grant and learned about funding, writing and executing projects on a large scale. I then joined the Ochsner Health System as the assistant vice president of system nursing professional development. When our growing healthcare system started to acquire hospitals post-hurricane Katrina, I saw an opportunity to help nurses by teaching and designing an educational programs established to fuel a passion for learning. I served on the nursing leadership council and helped to establish the Department of System Nursing Professional Development.

Extending the Career Ladder

By offering a professional development program, we impacted thousands of nurses and created a career ladder that empowers nurses to identify their talents. In addition nurses supported their peers by nominating them for participation in the program. The opportunity opened doors for nursing leaders and supported staff development.  

The ultimate step in the career ladder became a reality when Chamberlain University opened a campus location on the west campus of Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. What a gift to our nurses and the community at large!

Embracing Opportunity

The establishment of Chamberlain University’s New Orleans campus opened a door for me to serve in the role of campus president. I was honored, invigorated and energized to – once again – learn along with my students.

Many nurses go into nursing with the intent of providing bedside care and may look at teaching as an opportunity later in their careers as a final stage before retirement. I followed my passions, and my experiences lead me to this very job at this very time. I look forward to working with students to support care for self, care for peers and to ensure an extraordinary level of care to patients.  

Remember, learning is a lifelong journey. And as I’ve learned, your future is often guided by the past if you just embrace the opportunity to say “yes.”

Interested in learning more about opportunities that await you? Information about the New Orleans campus is available at chamberlain.edu/neworleans or explore all our program options at chamberlain.edu.

By Chamberlain University

More from Campus News

View all >
group study
6 Tips for a Successful Nursing School Study Group
Read more
chamberlain conversations with Karen Cox, president of chamberlain university
Chamberlain Conversations – Why Our Social Mission Matters
Read more
Jazmine Hayes as adult
Cancer Survivor Becomes Nurse at Children's Hospital
Read more
Chamberlain University and LCMC Health in Louisiana Welcome…
Read more
Show more >

Request More Information

To receive the Chamberlain University Program Guide, including associated career paths, please select a program of study.

Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Student Portal Login

Main Campus
Addison Campus
1221 North Swift Road
Addison, IL 60101 

National Management Offices
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800
Chicago, Illinois 60606

All Campus Locations
Contact

Footer Menu Column 1

  • Online Programs
  • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
  • Alumni Association
  • Chamberlain Marketplace
  • Military
  • Leadership
  • Catalog & Viewbook
  • Transcripts

Footer Menu Column 2

  • Student Portal
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Accreditation
  • Parent Organization
  • CA Performance Fact Sheets
  • CA BPPE Annual Report
  • CA BPPE Website
  • Cost of Attendance

Footer Menu Column 3

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Student Disability Services
  • Office of Nondiscrimination and Access
RELATED CONTENT
  • 18 Tips for a Successful Semester in Nursing School
  • Meet the Chamberlain Campus President:...
  • One Clinical Rotation Determined Diane Morey’s...

Footer Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

2025 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.

Footer Menu Line 1

  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • † 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. Chamberlain University’s Master of Public Health Program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, www.ceph.org. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. Chamberlain University’s Master of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation, www.cswe.org. Detailed accreditation information for Chamberlain’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) programs can be found at this link

    Certified to Operate by SCHEV. 

    To report unresolved complaints to the Illinois Board of Higher Education visit their webpage at https://complaints.ibhe.org/ or by mail to 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701-1377. View Chamberlain's complaint process.

    Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.

    Chamberlain University is a member of Adtalem Global Education Inc. www.adtalem.com
    ©2025 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.