The final semester is done and my master’s degree complete. As i reach this academic milestone, I can’t help but reflect on how the journey to an MN has shaped my nursing career perspective. Ongoing learning is inherent to nursing, and for me, the pursuit of enhanced professional knowledge has remained as much a priority as enhancing my skills-based competencies.

The graduation process is in motion, and as I prepare to celebrate this achievement, an uncertainty idles within about next steps. I have been so clear on my timelines for reaching this goal of a graduate degree, and that has fueled my motivation. But now that I am actually here, it feels somewhat anticlimactic. Perhaps it is because I am older than most of my classmates. Perhaps it is the recognition that, ultimately, I am the one responsible for celebrating this moment as there is no “congratulations” committee waiting with a list of opportunities for graduates. Or it may more likely be that I have been celebrating higher learning throughout my journey, and now it is difficult to see it come to an end.

I started nursing almost 35 years ago as an RNA. I’ve since progressed to diploma RN, then BScN, and now a master’s. All the while, I’ve simultaneously experienced life through family, friends, work, vacations, births, and grief, knowing I must never veer from the path to greater knowledge.

I revel in the privilege of demonstrating to my daughters (now 29, 30 and 33) the strength that comes through knowledge, research and commitment.

Why? I would wager many a nurse has asked themselves this same question. Why do we endure this added commitment to higher learning when it often hinders our ability to maintain life balance? I am sure the responses would be interesting, and conceivably might include an innate love of learning, a desire to open career doors, and maybe even to enhance individual professional practice. I know for myself, all of these are true, but it’s also more personal. My mother (who has passed) and father are proud. And I revel in the privilege of demonstrating to my daughters (now 29, 30 and 33) the strength that comes through knowledge, research and commitment.

Accomplishing my graduate degree did not come without support and love from those who carried this sometimes tired academic soul along the journey. My personal support systems, in particular, my husband and daughters, have shared in the weight of my studies. And my academic and work colleagues have shouldered many a complaint over a paper or exam. Most certainly, the professors at the University of Windsor regularly encouraged my route to success and I am eternally grateful for their advocacy. It was this combined love, patience, knowledge and strength that inspired my perseverance.

So, what is next?

Finding an answer is definitely a struggle. For a goal-oriented individual like myself, having more time on my hands may prove challenging. Or maybe I need to see it as exciting. I hope to enjoy a summer break from the demands of academia, but acknowledge I may not be done with it just yet. In fact, there could be more class time in my future. Just don’t tell my family that.