When Jess Boyd began her journey at Century College, she knew she wanted to major in something that allowed her to help people.
At first, that was elementary education. “I substituted as a teaching assistant in the Minneapolis suburbs but found it so hard because I really wanted to take every child home with me,” says Jess, who spent most of her formative years in Minnesota. She explored social work thereafter, but then someone suggested healthcare. Jess enrolled in Century College’s medical assistant program and became a Certified Medical Assistant in 2004.
Difficult childhood experiences can leave lasting imprints on mental and physical health. Jess knows this firsthand. She began her career as a medical assistant for a large healthcare system but struggled with her mental health—challenges rooted in trauma from her early years. “I had two phenomenal nurses who listened to me and built me up,” Jess says. “Because of them, I got stronger and began to feel like I am here for a reason and was given a second chance. I decided that I wanted to become a psychiatric nurse.”
Through this pivotal moment, Jess transformed her pain into purpose, choosing a path that allows her to support others on their own healing journeys. After seven years as a medical assistant, Jess applied to nursing school at St. Catherine University and earned the Associate of Applied Science in nursing in 2011. She turned the page of her life story to become a mental health nurse for a home health care company
Discovering Her “Why” as a Psychiatric Nurse
In her new nursing career, Jess found her purpose. She worked for eight years in mental health home care, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing along the way while also working full time. Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, she moved to a crisis care center. “I absolutely love psych nursing and every setting I’ve worked in,” she says. “Whether I was helping people get back into society and reclaim their lives or working with the homeless population and people with substance use disorders, I feel like it is my calling to help people and make their lives better.”
In 2022, Jess had an opportunity to join a hospital system and develop its new behavioral health program. She was there less than a year when she experienced some health problems, requiring Jess to step away from her new role. As she navigated a few life challenges—she lost her adopted grandfather and had to care for her biological grandmother and partner—Jess began thinking about her next steps.
Back to School to Become a Nurse Educator
One of the pathways that came to mind for Jess was teaching. “I’ve been a mentor or a trainer in every job I’ve had, and years ago I considered becoming an elementary school teacher, so it seemed like the right time to think about going back to school for nursing education,” she says. She started researching universities with online Master of Science in Nursing programs and came across Post University American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“The SIMPath® program was perfect for my needs, and I’m someone who is disciplined to make that work for me,” Jess says. After a surgery and a long recovery period, Jess began her journey in February 2025, Jess finally started the Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Specialization at the American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Post University.
Finding Strength and Support
At Post University, Jess has found helpful professors, an encouraging environment, and unwavering support from her Student Success Advisor, Lauren. “She has been my number one fan and kept encouraging me when I kept hitting roadblocks,” Jess says. “When I finish the MSN, I plan to attend commencement in Connecticut.”
As for the future, Jess is excited about the next step of her career. “I love people and helping them, and I’m excited to teach new nurses—especially those going into psychiatric nursing,” she says. “I want to show people that it is a very rewarding specialty of nursing where you can save lives. We need wonderful psychiatric nurses.”