Balancing motherhood, clinical training and community service, one USC nursing student is preparing for a career focused on compassionate care and meaningful change.
Finding a path to nursing
For Courtney Geyer, the University of South Carolina’s Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing (MEPN) program offered a way to continue a life centered on service. With a psychology degree and four years of experience as a medic in the U.S. Air Force, she knew she wanted a career where she could continue helping others.
After leaving active duty, Geyer worked in a North Dakota hospital, where she gained a deeper appreciation for the nursing profession. “I learned that nurses are the backbone of the hospital,” she says. “They hold a lot of weight.”
When her family relocated to South Carolina, USC stood out because of its reputation, focus on holistic care and transparency. “I was drawn to the MEPN program because of how upfront it was about everything that goes into it,” Geyer says. “The cost breakdown, the curriculum, the clinical commitment. As a second-career student and parent, that was super important to me.”
Learning through patient care
Today, Geyer is a nurse extern in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, where she has gained valuable experience caring for critically ill children and supporting their families. Working in a historically underserved area has reinforced the importance of empathy in patient care. “You have to approach every situation with sympathy because you don’t know what people have gone through,” she says.
Her experiences as a parent have also shaped her approach to pediatrics. Having navigated her own child's hospitalization, Geyer understands the importance of helping families feel informed and supported during stressful situations. A lesson from assistant professor Jan Kubas continues to guide her interactions with patients and families: “Eighty-five percent of nursing is education,” she says.
Making the most of every opportunity
Balancing nursing school, work and family life requires discipline and organization. Geyer is raising a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old at home while also supporting two children in college. “Being a mom in nursing school makes it easier because I don’t have a choice but to stay organized,” she says.
Outside the classroom and clinical setting, Geyer is committed to advocacy and community service. After learning about Revolution Red through the Student Nurses' Association, she began volunteering with the organization to address period poverty in the Palmetto State. Growing up in a low-income household, she understands the importance of access to hygiene products and education and sees advocacy as an important part of nursing.
Being a mom in nursing school makes it easier because I don’t have a choice but to stay organized.
She has also taken advantage of leadership opportunities through USC Nursing, attending four professional conferences, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Student Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. There, she joined nursing students from across the country in meetings with lawmakers to advocate for nursing education and research funding.
Looking ahead
A Palmetto Gold Scholarship recipient, Geyer is also interested in the future of healthcare innovation. Through her coursework, she has explored how artificial intelligence and Clinical Decision Support Systems can help nurses identify trends in patient data while supporting clinical decision-making.
Throughout her time in the MEPN program, Geyer has focused on making the most of every opportunity to grow professionally and personally. “You can tell the faculty here really want you to succeed,” she says. “They’re always there for you if you need them.”