Meghan Ficarra ’22
Senior Clinical Product Manager
Meghan Ficarra describes the DNP program at Fisher as transformative. Entering the program with experience as a clinical nurse specialist, she believes she emerged with refined leadership skills and the confidence necessary for a variety of roles. “The DNP program is rigorous and requires the student to be self-motivated, highly organized, possess strong leadership skills, and be an excellent communicator and collaborator. I wouldn’t have the same confidence I have now had I not completed the DNP program at Fisher.”
She currently works at a health care IT company as a senior clinical product manager, overseeing a nurse residency program and a continuing education library. She credits her success in this position to the skills she developed during her time at Fisher. “The DNP program gave me complete confidence to take on new roles and challenges. The program furthered my belief in my abilities to perform as a leader, regardless of the role.”
Ficarra recommends the DNP program to prospective students interested in leadership. “When considering the DNP program, think about where you see yourself in the future. Regardless of the role or setting, if you envision yourself as a leader and someone who wants to advocate for the nursing profession and influence positive change within health care, this is a great program to consider.”
Deborah Maier ’22
Vice President of Nursing Innovation, Simulation, Education, and Research, Rochester Regional Health
Deborah Maier enjoyed caring for her patients and being an excellent bedside nurse, but she is thankful for her “amazing mentors” who saw her potential to lead and shape other nurses. As a double Cardinal, Maier attributes her success as a published author and national presenter to her time in Fisher’s M.S. in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist program and the DNP program. “It’s the amazing Fisher-learned innovation in simulation and professional development that gave me a professional voice. It has also opened doors internally and externally for job opportunities.”
She now works as the vice president of nursing innovation, simulation, education, and research at Rochester Regional Health. Maier explains that her coursework at Fisher directly aligns with her daily responsibilities. “Each of the graduate-level courses allowed me to grow professionally, and the tools I garnered from the M.S. program were part of my everyday workflow, and that’s how I knew I wanted to go back to Fisher to complete my doctoral work.”
As she continues to advocate for the nursing profession, she also encourages nurses to consider the DNP program at Fisher. “The faculty take the time to learn who you are as a nurse to help guide your decision-making to be impactful as a student and future provider. They help grow your professional network and push you past self-imposed boundaries in your thinking and growth trajectory.”