New Kid on the Block: North Brunswick Student Transitions from Finance to Nursing

Dan Foytlin is experiencing many firsts since enrolling at Chamberlain College of Nursing. One of the first students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Chamberlain’s new North Brunswick, New Jersey, location, Foytlin is leaving behind more than 20 years in the banking and finance industries.

“For a long time, my work focused on retirement planning, investments and mortgages,” said Foytlin. “Nursing was something I had considered doing years ago, but left it on the backburner. I’m still the primary caregiver for my parents, who have each had cancer at one time or another. I’ve always helped them, and I’ve always wanted to help others.”

The economic downturn and a bank merger that affected his job security caused Foytlin to reevaluate his career path.

“I had to ask myself, ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’” said Foytlin. “And I decided to do what I had initially wanted to do years ago: become a nurse.”

Foytlin started reaching out to nursing schools near his Beachwood, New Jersey, home in late April. By chance, a friend of his recommended Chamberlain. Foytlin called Chamberlain on his drive home from a visit at another nursing school, and he was so encouraged by the admissions team that he completed his application over the phone.

“I talked to an admissions advisor and was able to get everything in place, come in and do my testing, and start class on May 4,” Foytlin said. “I’ve never, to any extent, had this type of support from a school.”

Since beginning the 3-year BSN program at Chamberlain’s North Brunswick campus, Foytlin has been amazed by the knowledge and friendliness of the faculty and staff, and has enjoyed the interactivity and convenience of Chamberlain’s classes.

Foytlin and his classmates can discuss assignments and course materials with their professors through an online forum. He has full access to his coursework readings and can complete assignments from anywhere via mobile tablet or smart phone. Foytlin extensively uses Chamberlain’s online library and nursing journals, and, like many Chamberlain students, uses an application called Tutor Trac, which helps with coursework and reviewing papers prior to submission. Chamberlain’s blended in-person and online courses offer mobile accessibility as well as classroom interaction, giving Foytlin and his classmates more ways to learn and exchange ideas.

Chamberlain’s integration of technology in and out of the classroom benefits Foytlin’s busy schedule. He works full time as a patient care tech at the Ocean Medical Center in Brick, New Jersey, and often has to fit his schoolwork and studying in when he has a break.

“Chamberlain has a mobile app that allows me to read my textbooks online during my lunch hour. It’s very versatile, and I need that flexibility to go to school and work full time,” said Foytlin.

Foytlin is excited about what the future holds for him at Chamberlain and beyond. He’s interested in becoming a nurse anesthesiologist or possibly going into nursing education, where he can give back to the next generation of nurses.

“My banking background was in administration, so after I receive my BSN degree I want to continue on at Chamberlain to pursue my master’s degree,” Foytlin said. “But right now, I’m taking it one step at a time. I want to become an RN first.”

By Kim Brandt