Never Give Up: How One Chamberlain Grad Built a Career in Compassionate Care

Jzhavatnie Vaughn-Richard had her sights set on becoming an OB-GYN until her aunt, a nurse, asked her a question that shifted how she saw her future: Why limit yourself to one specialty when a nursing degree can prepare you for a variety of paths within healthcare? 

“I’ve always had the passion to help others,” Vaughn-Richard says. That passion, combined with her aunt’s guidance, led the Houston native to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 2016 and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization in 2020, both at Chamberlain University. 

The road had its challenges, but it also had something crucial to her success: the right support at the right time.

Choosing a Nursing Program That Fit

Vaughn-Richard’s nursing education took an unexpected turn early on. She enrolled in a BSN program at another university but quickly realized something was missing. “I didn’t feel supported by advisors when it came to the curriculum, so I moved back to Houston,” she explains.

That’s when fate intervened again, this time during a casual conversation.

“I met a young lady who had enrolled at Chamberlain and she informed me that it was a fast-track nursing school that had classes year-round,” she recalls. The accelerated pathway option matched Vaughn-Richard’s ambition. More importantly, she found the guidance that had been missing before, and it would become fundamental to her success at Chamberlain.

“I always felt supported as a student,” she says. “I had a great set of professors who really cared about nursing and the students they served ... They really took the time to make sure we understood the ‘why.’ I also loved the support from the student center; they were always so helpful in encouraging and tutoring us.”

Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner

When it came time to select an MSN nursing specialty, Vaughn-Richard thought strategically about the type of healthcare professional she wanted to be.

“I chose the FNP track in order to be able to care for anyone I would see,” she says. “I didn’t want to be limited to a specialty. I wanted to be a general practitioner and if I wanted to specialize, I would either do that with a certification or work experience.”

Family nurse practitioner is one of the most flexible roles in advanced practice nursing. FNPs care for patients of all ages and often serve as a primary care provider in the community.

“My degree in nursing focuses on the patient as a whole,” Vaughn-Richard explains. “So, I was taught and have gained experience in the beginning stages, the middle stages, and the end stages of life.”

Building Confidence Through Practicums 

Clinical experiences were a meaningful part of Vaughn-Richard’s educational and professional journey.

“During my BSN and MSN, I had a wonderful clinical experience,” she says. “The staff always made sure I felt welcome and were eager for me to learn. They taught me what needed to be done and allowed me some autonomy, and that always strengthens your knowledge and confidence. I was able to apply what I had learned in the classroom to real life, and that felt amazing.”

Like many graduate nursing students, she took an active role in finding clinical placements. She says there were some challenges along the way, but those experiences reinforced the importance of planning ahead and advocating for herself as a student. Today, Chamberlain offers additional practicum support, including guidance and resources to help students secure clinical sites and preceptors.

Her advice for MSN nursing students navigating their practicum?

“Start looking for sites early. … I always met with people in person so I could introduce myself and inform them of what I needed to be successful as a student. Be eager to ask questions. Remember, you are there to learn and grow confident in what you already know.”

Finding Her Niche in Houston Healthcare

Today, Vaughn-Richard has built a career that allows her to work across different areas of care, in one of the most diverse healthcare environments in the U.S.

She works in case management, helping patients manage chronic cardiac and kidney conditions, and also serves as a triage nurse for a hospice company.

“Houston is a big melting pot. People from all over come to work in our trauma center, cancer center, and world-renowned medical center,” she says. “Diversity has impacted my nursing practice due to the various cultures and opportunities within the realm of nursing. You can literally get employment doing something new almost annually—which keeps everyone on their toes in regard to education and experience.”

Building a Network That Lasts

Long after graduation, the connections Vaughn-Richard made at Chamberlain continue to shape her life and career.

“Many of us who were peers in undergrad still connect with each other. Many of us are connected through social media and some are lifelong friends. There are three ladies who were my classmates that I see at least quarterly to catch up and even just discuss job and business opportunities. The professors are also still a part of some of our lives. One professor has remained my mentor since 2012, when I enrolled.”

These connections are practical, but they also offer something deeper: a community that understands the demands and rewards of advanced practice nursing.

For anyone considering a master’s degree in nursing or exploring how to become a nurse practitioner, Vaughn-Richard’s advice is encouraging and emphatic: 

“Never give up. Nursing is one of the most recognized professions, but it is also one of the most challenging degrees to obtain. No matter what setbacks or obstacles you may encounter while on this journey, never give up and never stop trying. Even if you have to take a break—that’s fine, too—finish. If I can do it, you can do it.”

Earn Your MSN Online 

Chamberlain University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is designed to let you align your education with your career goals. There are four nurse practitioner specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). There are non-clinical specializations, too: Nurse Educator, Healthcare Policy, Nurse Executive, Nursing Informatics, and Population Health.

Chamberlain’s MSN program is designed to be flexible and supportive, with rolling start dates and online coursework. During in-person immersion and intensive events you’ll have the opportunity to build clinical skills, prepare for board certification exams, and receive personalized feedback from experienced faculty.

Request information online to begin blazing a path to building knowledge and skills that support your career goals.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, 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.