Facing patient-care challenges in her undergrad experience prepared Menominee County alumna for work as RN
Every day, Miranda (Baumler) Jackson ’15 (Associate of Arts & Science), of Daggett, impacts the lives of others through her work as a registered nurse. A wound care RN at Pine Crest in Powers, she is about to become a float RN at OSF St. Francis Medical Group in Escanaba, working in family practice, behavioral health and pediatrics.
The 2013 Carney-Nadeau graduate found her path to nursing success through both NWTC Marinette and UW-Marinette (now UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus). Jackson graduated from UW-Marinette with an Associate of Arts and Science in 2015, then headed to NWTC—first in Shawano and then Marinette—to complete her associate degree in nursing in 2017.
It is no surprise to faculty at both campuses that Jackson has been successful.
“In clinical, she faced patient care challenges directly and strived to make the health care experience the best possible for her patients,” said Jane Swanson, Nursing-Associate Degree program instructor at NWTC Marinette.
Jackson points to faculty and staff support at NWTC Marinette and UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus as being key in reaching her goals. Small class sizes and instructors who wanted to get to know students on a personal level helped her grow.
“I never felt that I couldn’t ask questions or that people would look down on me if I had any questions,” Jackson said. “A lot of the time, when I approached them with questions, they would be excited that I wanted to engage that way and seek help.”
Hands-on, connected learning were also key to Jackson’s success. While studying at the University, she remembers meeting with community members to practice speaking Spanish. At NWTC Marinette, she enjoyed her experience at health fairs. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize I could help educate people,” Jackson said. “It helped me have more confidence in my abilities because people were asking questions and I was able to say, ‘I know this!’”
Jackson encourages students at every stage of their studies to reach out for help and engage with instructors. “It’s really great to go somewhere and have someone rooting for you and wanting to help you succeed,” she said.
She continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing as well. NWTC Marinette and UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus (Marinette Higher Education Coalition) cheer on the great work Jackson is doing and are proud to call her an alumna of both campuses.
Under the Marinette Area Higher Education Coalition, NWTC Marinette and UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus are working together to bring a shared vision of public higher education to the Marinette area.
Watch this video on the Coalition.
