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

Mobile Main navigation

  • About
    • Accreditation
    • Alumni
    • Blog
    • Chamberlain Care
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Newsroom
    • Online Education
    • Our Vision
    • Student Consumer Information
  • Academics
    • College of Nursing
      • 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Certificate Programs
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • College of Health Professions
      • Public Health Certificate Programs
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
  • Campus & Online
    • Campus
    • AZ - Phoenix
    • CA - Irwindale
    • CA - Sacramento
    • FL - Jacksonville
    • FL - Miramar
    • GA - Atlanta
    • IL - Addison
    • IL - Chicago
    • IL - Tinley Park
    • IN - Indianapolis
    • LA - New Orleans
    • MI - Troy
    • MO - St. Louis
    • NV - Las Vegas
    • NJ - North Brunswick
    • NC - Charlotte
    • OH - Cleveland
    • OH - Columbus
    • TX - Houston
    • TX - Irving
    • TX - Pearland
    • TX - San Antonio
    • VA - Tysons Corner
    • Online
      • BSN Online Option
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Admissions
      • Transfer Guide
      • Catalog
      • Academic Calendar
      • Military Information
    • Financial Aid
      • Tuition & Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Forms
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
      • Loans
      • Work Study
      • Grants
      • Scholarships

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

Top Utility Navigation

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

Main Header navigation

  • About

    About

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

    • Accreditation
    • Alumni
    • Blog
    • Chamberlain Care
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • History
    • Newsroom
    • Online Education
    • Our Vision
    • Student Consumer Information
  • Academics

    Academics

    Whether you're an aspiring nurse looking to launch a rewarding career, a nursing professional looking to advance your career, or a professional looking to impact public health, Chamberlain offers the degree programs, options and resources to help you succeed.

    • College of Nursing
      • 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Certificate Programs
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • College of Health Professions
      • Public Health Certificate Programs
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
    • Academic Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
  • Campus & Online

    On Campus & Online

    Interested in becoming a nurse?
    Earn your BSN at one of 23 campuses located across the country, in just 3 years

    • Campus
    • AZ - Phoenix
    • CA - Irwindale
    • CA - Sacramento
    • FL - Jacksonville
    • FL - Miramar
    • GA - Atlanta
    • IL - Addison
    • IL - Chicago
    • IL - Tinley Park
    • IN - Indianapolis
    • LA - New Orleans
    • MI - Troy
    • MO - St. Louis
    • NV - Las Vegas
    • NJ - North Brunswick
    • NC - Charlotte
    • OH - Cleveland
    • OH - Columbus
    • TX - Houston
    • TX - Irving
    • TX - Pearland
    • TX - San Antonio
    • VA - Tysons Corner
    • Online
      • BSN Online Option Clinical in WI
      • RN to BSN Option
      • RN to MSN Option
      • Master of Science in Nursing
      • MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
      • MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice
      • Master of Public Health
      • Master of Social Work
  • Admissions & Financial Aid

    Admissions & Financial Aid

    Chamberlain is committed to providing quality and accessible nursing education. Our team is with you every step of the way, providing the information you need to make the decisions that best serve you.

    • Admissions
      • Transfer Guide
      • Catalog
      • Academic Calendar
      • Military Information
    • Financial Aid
      • Tuition & Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Forms
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
      • Loans
      • Work Study
      • Grants
      • Scholarships

Secondary Header Navigation

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

Featured

Chamberlain University Irwindale Campus
Chamberlain University Opens New Campus…
Kenya Beard
What is Social Mission? Find Out from…
COVID-19 VIRUS Vaccine Clinic (Chicago)
Vaccine Hesitancy and Medical…

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
Campus News

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 >
Chamberlain University Irwindale Campus
Chamberlain University Opens New Campus in Irwindale,…
Read more
daisy foundation logo
Recognizing the Winners of 2020’s DAISY Award for…
Read more
rn to bsn online option ellis
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of the RN to BSN Online Option
Read more
Sade Wray Operation Christmas Child
Chamberlain Charlotte Students Highlighted on Local News…
Read more
Show more >

Request More Information

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

Footer Social Media Navigation

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

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Chamberlain University
500 W. Monroe St, Suite 28
Chicago, IL 60661

Footer Menu Mobile Column 1

  • Current Students
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Transfers
  • Military

Footer Menu Column 1

  • Campus Locations
  • Online Programs
  • Alumni
  • Military
  • Leadership

Footer Menu Column 2

  • Student Portal
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Accreditation
  • Parent Organization
  • California Disclosures

Footer Menu Column 3

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility
  • † Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional 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, (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE). For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. See accreditation and state authorization information or view a full list of program approvals by state.

    To report unresolved complaints to the Illinois Board of Higher Education visit their webpage at http://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 is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com
    ©2021 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.