Rhonda Bass was raising two children, caring for her aging father, and working full time when it hit her, she yearned for something different. “I felt like there was something missing in my life, and as it turned out, it was an education,” she says.
From age 16, Rhonda lived on her own, and she dropped out of high school as a result. She had her first child at 19 and another a few years later. Her children were her focus, and Rhonda worked as a restaurant server and bartender to support her family. Eventually, she got a job at a hotel, where her hard work earned her the opportunity to move into management.
A Career Epiphany
It was not until Rhonda’s father passed away in 2012 that she started contemplating going to college. “During the experience of him getting sick, I found that I enjoyed taking care of him, which is what got me thinking about nursing,” she says. She shared the idea with her kids, who were in middle and high school then, and got an enthusiastic response. “They were awesome about it. It made me want to pursue this not just for me, but for them too.”
Back to School as an Adult
Rhonda enrolled in an associate degree program at Chipola College in 2013. Her bosses at the hotel were some of her biggest supporters, and she finished the Associate Degree in Nursing program in four years. “I started my nursing career at Southeast Health in the urology unit, where I did my clinicals, and that has been home ever since,” says Rhonda.
When a nurse manager position opened in 2018, Rhonda was encouraged to apply. “The job came with the understanding that I would go back to school for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” she says. She returned to Chipola College and finished the BSN in 2020.
Inspired to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
Rhonda was already thinking about pursuing a master’s degree when her mother became ill in 2021. “The amazing nurse practitioners who took care of my mom and listened to me inspired me a lot,” she says. “I love taking care of people, which steered me toward becoming an advanced practice registered nurse so I can develop care plans for patients and expand my scope of practice.”
A colleague and former instructor who also worked at the hospital introduced Rhonda to American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Post University.
“She had gotten an Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice and said great things about Post,” says Rhonda, who decided to check out the Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization program for herself. “I liked everything I read online about the flexibility and eight-week classes and program structure.” She enrolled in 2021.
A Push to the Finish Line
Juggling full-time work and caregiving while in school was not easy, and Rhonda almost put the program on hold after her mother passed away in 2022. However, she knew her mom would not want her to quit. “My goals were the same as when I started, so I knew I had to keep going,” Rhonda says. “My mom used to tell everyone she knew how proud she was of me. I refocused and got back to work.”
As Rhonda neared the end of her last class in March 2025, she interviewed for a Nurse Practitioner position in the emergency department at Southeast Health. The doctor with whom she interviewed called her the next day to offer her the job, pending her passing of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam. “I am so excited to gain experience,” Rhonda says. “It’s a busy, high-volume ER, and the NP team handles the fast-track patients. It’s a good place for me to learn.”
The Perfect University for Her
In May 2025, Rhonda took a break from studying for her board exams to take a very meaningful trip—to Post University’s commencement ceremony. Her two grown children and their families and her brother and sister-in-law went along too, so they could cheer her on when she crossed the stage to accept her diploma.
“My experience at Post University was great, and I got to meet one of my favorite professors at commencement and celebrate with other classmates,” Rhonda says. “I recommend Post to everyone who will listen! The people are nurturing and helpful, and it is important to them that students are successful.”
The Next Career Chapter Begins
Rhonda starts her new Nurse Practitioner position in the ER in July 2025. Short term, her goal is to grow her skills and soak up as much knowledge as possible. One day, she would love to work in the primary care clinic setting.
No matter what she does, Rhonda is driven to become the best provider possible. “I’ve always had the mentality that if I can do more or be more, than why wouldn’t I keep pushing?” she says “I’m so glad I achieved this goal, and I’m proud of myself. And now I’m excited to begin my journey as a Nurse Practitioner.”