Sydney Conrad, a nurse at Emory Healthcare and Kennesaw State University (KSU) alumna, has returned to her alma mater to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Conrad previously earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from KSU in December 2015. After working for five years at Emory Midtown and later at Emory St. Joseph’s as a wound ostomy continence (WOC) nurse and Unit Nurse Educator, she decided to expand her professional skills by enrolling in the MSN program at KSU.
Conrad initially planned to focus on bedside education but found new interests through hands-on academic experiences provided by KSU’s MSN program. “I had originally thought I was going to expand my current role at the hospital, but through my experiences at KSU, I got to see the classroom side of things, working with students in the skills lab and simulation, as well as taking students to the hospital for clinical hours,” Conrad said. “I liked more of the interaction with nursing students, and KSU offers a unique opportunity in that way because they do give you a lot of hands-on experience in the academic setting that not all programs can offer.”
The hybrid structure of KSU’s MSN program—combining online coursework with face-to-face classes and clinical rotations—allowed Conrad, who is married with one child and another on the way, to balance full-time work at Emory with her studies. “I had some online time, but also face-to-face class time, as well as my clinical rotations,” she said. “I also spent time with the faculty here to see how the program works and all that goes into creating these courses for the students. All of it really benefited me.”
During her time at KSU, Conrad collaborated with Anne White, professor of nursing and coordinator of the MSN program, on initiatives aimed at supporting student success within the Wellstar School of Nursing. White highlighted Conrad’s contributions: “She has contributed significantly to student success and faculty growth, including designing a streamlined tutoring system, creating the Student Success website, and mentoring Student Learning Assistants with kindness and creativity,” White said. “Her role in curriculum redesign has been influential, encompassing proctoring exams, developing and analyzing test questions, updating instructional materials, and delivering engaging lectures with case studies and interactive activities.”
White also recognized Conrad’s potential for an academic career—a direction that became clear during her graduate studies. Conrad will return as a guest lecturer in wound ostomy nursing at KSU while also teaching in Emory University’s WOC Nursing Education Program.
Reflecting on her decision to pursue graduate education at KSU rather than other institutions offering similar programs nationwide or online options for working professionals such as herself (“The biggest thing when deciding to go back for a master’s is there are a lot of options out there and trying to decide what kind of program will best support you,” she said.), Conrad emphasized flexibility: “KSU was that perfect middle ground of allowing flexibility for people who are still working full-time, and I felt really supported at KSU to get the most of my experience in the seven semesters that I’ve been back.”
