Jay Vachon knew as a high school student that he wanted to pursue a career in health sciences.
“I was part of a medical careers exploration program and was interested in becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT),” says Jay, who grew up in Maine. He started out at College in New York but returned to his hometown after one year. “I didn’t do as well as I wanted in my freshman year, so I decided to enroll a college in New York but returned to his hometown or a fresh start.” Jay set his sights on going to nursing school.
A Start as a Paramedic
Jay took prerequisite courses for nursing school and became a registered EMT in 2009. While volunteering for the school’s emergency medical services team, he met the director of his college’s paramedicine program. “He convinced me to switch to the paramedicine associate degree since nursing had a waitlist,” he says. “I figured I could do that knowing I’d still pursue nursing.”
After graduating with an Associate of Science in paramedicine in 2012, Jay started working for a fire department and various private ambulance companies. He loved the work, and his employers loved him. Jay was awarded EMT of the Year by the fire department and was awarded multiple clinical excellence awards from the ambulance companies. That put him on management’s radar as an ideal trainer and mentor to students, newly licensed EMTs, and paramedics.
A Return to His Original Dream to Become a Nurse
In 2018, Jay wanted to advance his career and do what he set out to do—become a nurse.
Following in the footsteps of one of his paramedic mentors who helped mold his paramedic career, Jay started an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program at the Maine College of Health Professions. After a semester, he applied for a certificate of equivalent training to become a Certified Nurse Aide and started working as a CNA in the hospital. He completed the ADN in 2020.
Jay became a Registered Nurse at the ideal time. As COVID-19 spread like wildfire throughout Maine and around the globe, he joined Maine General Medical Center as a nurse in the emergency room and intensive care unit. By the end of 2020, he was also enrolled in Maine College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
Inspired to Make a Difference in Healthcare
After earning his BSN in 2023, Jay moved to Massachusetts for a change of scenery and worked at two different hospitals. During that time, he reflected on his life and career goals
“I feel there is so much room for improvement in the healthcare system,” Jay says. “I am inspired by my mom, who was a 40-year CEO of a nonprofit that provides housing and services to elderly adults. She tirelessly advocated for the geriatric population. I wanted to make an impact as a nurse, and I knew I needed to further my education.”
Jay’s father connected him with a friend from high school who is a chief nursing officer for a large hospital group. “He’s been a great mentor to me and encouraged me to pursue higher education,” he says. “He encouraged me to get a master’s in nursing with an emphasis in healthcare leadership, a Master of Business Administration, and possibly a doctorate.”
Jay began researching healthcare-focused MBA programs and came across the Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration – Healthcare (MSN/MBA-HC) program at Post University, American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “The dual degree program made so much sense for what I want to do,” he says.
Putting Learning Into Practice
Jay enrolled in the online MSN/MBA-HC program in fall 2023. “I’m learning the roles of healthcare leadership and the ‘behind the scenes’ practices that influence business operations, and how all of that relates to nursing practice,” he says. Earlier this year, Jay returned home to Maine and joined a skilled nursing facility as a unit manager. “I have an excellent director of nursing who is helping me grow by applying what I learn on a day-to-day basis.”
Long term, he aspires to lead, but he is open to many possibilities. “My end goal is to be a nursing executive of a medical system, but I don’t know exactly what the path to get there will be,” Jay says.
Next Goal: A Doctorate
Once he finishes the MSN/MBA-HC in 2026, Jay’s next educational goal is to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Based on the experience he has had so far, Jay says he may return to Post University. “I think the quality of education is excellent, and there is great support from professors and the student success advisors,” he says.
The DNP dream is both professional and personal, and one that Jay plans to fulfill in honor of his older sister, who passed away in 2022. “My sister was my biggest cheerleader when I started my BSN program,” Jay says. “She had a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins and wanted to earn a doctorate, too. When I go back for a DNP, it will be in her memory. She loved to learn, and she shared that excitement with me.”