Dianna Medlin knew at five years old that she wanted to become a nurse one day.
Her beloved grandmother was hospitalized just before her birthday that year, and when Dianna asked her family where the ambulance was taking her, their response was to a place where nurses could take care of her. “I remember thinking that I wanted to take care of others like that too,” says Dianna. That goal guided her through high school, and afterward, she enlisted in the United States Navy.
A Start a Medic
Dianna served in the military for five years as a medic, working across the country. An avid traveler, she lived in Sicily for two years too. Eventually, she settled in Texas.
In 2000, Dianna decided it was time to go back to school and enrolled at Amarillo Community College. “I worked at night at a hospital as a part-time tech and went to school during the day, but I still had to find a way to juggle everyday living,” she says. Dianna earned an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2004 and began her career on the telemetry floor. She moved to a larger hospital, working in the operating room as a circulator. A few years later, she became an emergency room nurse and then an intensive care nurse.
Furthering Her Education with a BSN
Shortly after Dianna’s children graduated and her oldest son was off to the Marines, she moved to California and worked as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse. “At first, I worked at the Air Force base as a nurse in the ICU, but due to a health issue, I was forced to step away from the bedside.”
Dianna worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a nurse case manager and discharge planner for veterans, active-duty personnel and family members. During this time, she decided to go back to school. “There is so much more to nursing, and I was surrounded by so many nurses I looked up to with so much knowledge and further education,” she says. After a lot of hard work, Dianna completed the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014.
A New Chapter: Travel Nursing
In 2016, Dianna left the VA for a civilian hospital case management position. But when her own life changed, she sought something new. “I was recruited to do travel nursing and was working all over the country doing case management and discharge planning in acute care hospitals,” she says. Although the experience was exciting and even introduced Dianna to her husband, she was eager to settle down and find a permanent full-time position.
Discovering Post University
While on assignment in Houston, Dianna attended the American Case Management Association national conference in 2022.
“I saw a Post University booth and stopped by it to learn about the Master of Science in Nursing – Case Management Specialization program,” she says. “I had a lot of experience in case management, but I wanted to move up in my career, so I was excited. I never dreamed there would be a case management-focused MSN degree.”
A few months later, Dianna was enrolled in her first class at Post University. She started the online Master of Science in Nursing – Case Management Specialization while still a travel nurse, but in September 2023, she moved to Kentucky. Today, Dianna is a manager for utilization management at the Medical Center at Bowling Green. “When I applied, they were pleased that I was working toward an MSN. I do think it helped me get the position,” she says.
Master of Science in Nursing Graduate: October 2024
In October 2024, Dianna graduated with the MSN – Case Management Specialization.
“I think a lot of nurses fall into case management, so what’s great about this master’s degree is that it teaches you many of the crucial guidelines and rules behind everything you do in case management and utilization review. The MSN has taught me to research diligently to find the best solutions, and it’s helped me in my new position. I was also able to refresh my brain with some core nursing courses.”
Dianna is thinking about her future while also appreciating her accomplishments. “I’m thinking about the administrative side of the hospital, and I’d love to become a director one day,” she says. “But truthfully, I am so happy and content with what I am doing currently. When I first became a nurse, I didn’t know what case management or utilization management entailed. My path and journey changed quite a bit along the way, but I’m so blessed and have no regrets. I am healthy, and that is the most important reward.”
To other nurses considering Post University, Dianna‘s advice is to go for it. “I lived in several states throughout the country during my two-year program, but the flexibility of Post’s program allowed me to continue my education, despite my location,” she says. “Between my faith, my husband, Garry, my advisor at Post—who is a saint—my fur babies, and my family, I had so much support. The people at Post helped me be successful, and who knows…maybe I will pursue my doctorate. I’m very proud of my accomplishments.”