Kayla Mattu already knew at the age of nine what she wanted to be when she grew up.
That was the year she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. “I felt that overwhelming sense that my whole life was going to change,” says Kayla, who grew up in Port Orchard, Washington. “The person who made the biggest impact on me was my nurse. She took me under her wing and taught me how to handle diabetes. That’s what heroes looked like to me from that time onward, and I wanted to become one of them.”
A Start as a Certified Nurse Aide
After graduating from high school, Kayla went to Olympic College to earn a nurse aide certificate in 2012. “That was a perfect introduction to caring for patients and human interaction, and it was a short time commitment to get started,” she says. The Seattle area had high demand for certified nursing assistants (CNA), so Kayla had no trouble finding a job in long-term care and rehabilitation. She continued her education at Olympic College while working and earned an Associate of Arts degree a year later followed by a practical nursing certificate the year after that.
“Laddering up in nursing fits my learning style best, so I worked and kept going to school to earn new credentials,” Kayla says. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, she worked in corrections for two years before getting hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a first assist in acupuncture and dermatology.
Back to School for a BSN
Once she joined the VA, Kayla was eager to expand her knowledge. “I’ve always wanted to become a Registered Nurse (RN), and the time was right,” she says. “Plus, the VA is very supportive of education.” Kayla finished the Associate Degree of Nursing in 2019 and after years of dreaming it, she finally became a Registered Nurse (RN).
Kayla’s first RN position was in medical-surgical and telemetry. She moved into primary care/ambulatory care in 2021, and then into a care manager position. A few years later, she decided once again to go back to school. “I did a lot of searching before I found American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University, and the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing SIMPath® program put Post above everything else,” Kayla says. “The fact that I am able to self-pace school around my work schedule makes it possible for me to do this. That flexibility showed me that Post truly understands the lifestyles of their busy students.”
A Degree in One Year
In February 2025, Kayla completed the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “It was a big commitment, and I did it partly because of the pride that comes with having those three letters behind my name, but I also want the ability to help more patients at a higher level,” she says. “I have the skills to be a proactive nurse now, and I play a bigger role on committees where I was just a participant before. Having the BSN is a boost.”
Setting Higher Goals for Even Higher Education
Kayla’s positive experience at Post University influenced her decision to pursue a master’s degree as well. She started the Master of Science Nursing – Case Management Specialization in March 2025.
Why case management? Kayla currently manages the care of over 2,000 enrolled VA patients, but the next step up in her position would expand that number. She also hopes to manage a clinic in the future as the VA expands in her area. “I come from a long line of veterans, including my father, and I love working at the VA,” Kayla says. “This master’s degree will allow me to impact more patients and guide policies and procedures to help them.”
Although Kayla is excited to bolster her resume, she is also appreciative of the encouragement she has received to believe in herself. “Post University is the reason I’m confident enough to get my master’s degree,” she says. “My intention was to just get the BSN degree, but I got so much support. I have a responsive, kind team of advisors and professors behind me. I’ve gotten everything I wanted and more out of the BSN program, so it was an easy decision to keep going.”