Julia Hoskins has made her family proud. She’s an RN, working on her RN to BSN with IU Online, and the first person in her family to earn an undergraduate degree.
Ever since childhood, Hoskins longed to be a nurse. She earned an LPN from Ivy Tech and subsequently excelled as an RN student at IU Kokomo, making the dean’s list and the chancellor’s list. Partway through her on-campus experience, life intervened. Two kids and a full-time job later, Hoskins returned to IU Kokomo, this time online. She graduated in December 2023.
Applying was effortless
“People were so helpful. Every credit from Ivy Tech and IUK transferred. The schools did all the work for me.” She got the same kid-glove service when she enrolled. “My advisor spent all the time I needed, explaining how all my credits counted, going over what was expected in the program. She helped me choose classes, and even phoned to reassure me. She told me: ‘call for help any time. I’m here for you.’”
Personal attention made the difference
Hoskins has a comprehension disorder and needs solitude and extra time to complete exams. “I explained the situation to my advisor, who informed all my instructors. Everyone was so understanding. When I notified individual instructors at test time, they confirmed they’d been alerted and thanked me for following up with them.”
Instructors gave her individual attention. “All my professors were super understanding. If I needed help or had a question, they worked with me. They gave me their mobile numbers so I could call. These very detailed accommodations helped me get where I am today.”
School boosts expertise at work
Hoskins covers a lot of ground in her job with the Carroll County Public Health Department. She’s the tuberculosis, communicable diseases, and lead case manager. She administers vaccines to children and adults. She’s also an emergency preparedness and school liaison.
She says her online classes in disaster preparedness have had a direct bearing on her day job. “I grew in my job as a result of my classes. I gained a much deeper insight into what emergency preparedness entails. We even did a project on emergency preparedness for live shooter events—what your options are, what to do in various scenarios. Such useful information!”
Professional network surges
IU Online classes extended Hoskins’ professional network. “Through school, I made connections to professionals I never dreamed I’d be talking to,” she says. “I met with the Carroll County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and now I’m a member of that committee. I learned how to help schools get the supplies they need. I made contacts with other programs in the county: low-income birth projects, outreach programs, WIC, FSSA, and Mental Health America. I also learned how to partner with the local fire, police, and ambulance corps. I have IU Online to thank for this expanded network of professional contacts. Work and learning completely dovetailed.”
Co-workers were so supportive
Hoskins’ co-workers and supervisor are very supportive of her studies. “They came to my nurse pinning ceremony,” she says. “This is a big event for nurses. You cross the stage, and the dean pins you with a red ribbon. I was the only RN, and the only RN to BSN student in the crowd. This is a big accomplishment for me. Carroll County where I grew up is small. People I grew up with followed me on Facebook. Congratulations poured in. I was overwhelmed with joy.”
Hopes to inspire others
Hoskins knows others face challenges in going back to school. “IU Online made it possible for me. I hope my story will give other women like me the inspiration to achieve their goals. Even if you have two kids and are a single mom with a full-time job, you can meet your dreams. I had faith I could do it. You can, too.”
Hoskins has her eye on a Master of Public Health through IU Online. She hopes an MPH will lead to a position with the Indiana State Health Department—a big step up. “Someone once told me I’d never be a nurse because of my comprehension disability. They said I didn’t have critical thinking skills like everyone else,” she says. “I showed them.”
