Field Report: One alumna's definition of success
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” – Earl Nightingale
What's your definition of success? Nightingale, cofounder of Nightingale-Conant, a 50-year-old motivational and personal development company, seems to define it as a journey from where we are to where we want to be--our “worthy ideal.”
To date, Bellevue University has been part of the “Real Learning for Real Life” journey for approximately 32,000 alumni and thousands of current and past students. In the brief “field report” below, alumna Angela M. Johnson of Ida Grove, Iowa, provides an update on her journey.
A few years ago Johnson sought more education in order to advance professionally and open new doors of opportunity, including teaching. She completed Bellevue University’s online B.S. in Health and Social Services degree in 2007. Three years later, she began studies on a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree from the University, receiving her degree at winter commencement January 28, 2012.
Today Johnson, a wife and mother of six, is administrator of North Lake Manor Living and Rehabilitation, a skilled nursing facility in Storm Lake, Iowa, where she currently oversees a multi-million dollar renovation project that she says will "...enhance the lives of the elderly served and provide a pleasant working environment for the employees."
“Everything I have done with my career has only been possible because of my degrees from Bellevue University,” Johnson said at a commencement eve open house on the University campus. She said she was looking forward to teaching gerontology and other healthcare classes at Iowa Central Community College in nearby Fort Dodge. “I want to teach others what I know and have learned through my education and career."
She credited her husband, Steve, for helping make her degree possible, and as a thank you, she gave him season tickets to this summer's regional stock car races for Christmas. “I couldn’t have done it without him,” she said. This week Johnson provided this update on her journey:
“Life is going well, great actually! I am teaching my first online course right now, Opportunities in Healthcare. I have 12 students in the class. It is strange to be referred to as 'Professor!' I am teaching and working. I wouldn't have a clue how to just idle. Members of my staff think I am crazy for working like I do with our renovation project, going home and running kids to activities, and then teaching before going to bed. I love going all the time. And I really do credit my degrees with making my life possible.”