DNP Program Sparks Passion for Policy in Nursing Executive

Written byZachary Schleter

鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we have this Doctor of Nursing Practice program and continue to support nurses completing this program. This program is building a stronger nursing profession and a stronger healthcare industry across the country.鈥

Karen Wyble
Graduation Year
2023
Major
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Hometown
Arnaudville, La.

Not everyone can say they鈥檝e discussed community health issues over breakfast with their state legislator. 

But that鈥檚 the position Karen Wyble found herself in because of her time in UL Lafayette鈥檚 Doctor of Nursing Practice program

Wyble was doing research for her synthesis project in the program when she noticed a trend in health disparities in rural areas of 亚洲自慰视频. She approached Dr. Jennifer Lemoine, interim associate dean and professor in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. 

鈥淚 said, 鈥極h my goodness, we can鈥檛 do this anymore. We have to make a difference for these families,鈥欌 Wyble recalls. 鈥淒r. Lemoine looked at me and said, 鈥楽o do something about it.鈥 So, I did.鈥

Wyble called then-State Representative Vincent Pierre to request a meeting about her concerns. The two met at a cafe in Lafayette, and before Wyble knew it, she was actively shaping health policy in 亚洲自慰视频. 

Making a Difference in Rural Healthcare 

Wyble has always had a passion for advocacy. As Regional Associate Vice President of Community and Public Affairs for Ochsner Lafayette General, being a voice for the voiceless is her job. 

鈥淚 am a healthcare advocate,鈥 she says. 

Throughout her career, Wyble鈥檚 efforts have focused on developing programs to improve health outcomes in the communities she serves. 

In her previous role as the CEO of a rural hospital, she developed a six-week training program to educate the public on issues like safe weight loss, portion sizes, BMI, and more. The goal was to reduce heart disease. In that role, she also spearheaded efforts to bring telemedicine to local schools and the local jail. 

Despite her previous program planning success, it wasn鈥檛 until Wyble entered the DNP program that she realized that she could also make an impact through healthcare policy.

Wyble鈥檚 meeting with Rep. Pierre led to an introduction to State Rep. Dustin Miller, Chair of the State House Health and Welfare Committee. 

In 2022, Miller sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 44 to create the Health Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force. Wyble has served as chair of that task force since its inception. 

鈥淟ong story short, because I went to UL Lafayette to get my doctoral degree, I鈥檝e testified in front of the Health and Welfare Committee, am serving as chair of the Health Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force, and have three health-related bills in the legislature right now.鈥 

Karen Wyble, center, testifies in front of the State House and Governmental Affairs Committee. On the left beside her sits Jennifer Lemoine, interim associate dean and professor in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
Dr. Karen Wyble, center, testifies in front of the State House and Governmental Affairs Committee. To the left sits Dr. Jennifer Lemoine, interim associate dean and professor in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Dr. Lemoine was a close mentor to Dr. Wyble during her time in the DNP program.

Support and Community in the DNP Program 

Wyble credits much of her success beyond the DNP program to the support she received during the program from her professors and peers. 

As a busy executive, Wyble needed flexibility in how she could complete her coursework. She found that flexibility not only in the program鈥檚 online course delivery but also in the responsiveness of the program鈥檚 faculty. 

鈥淚t was tough,鈥 she says. 鈥淎t one point, I went to Dr. Lemoine and said, 鈥楲ook, I work Monday through Friday, and I need to understand this material better. I need to have a meeting with you on Sunday evenings.鈥 Dr. Lemoine thought for a second and said, 鈥極K, what time鈥檚 good for you?鈥欌

鈥淭hey treated me so special. And it wasn鈥檛 just me. That鈥檚 how they treated all their 亚洲自慰视频s. They wanted to ensure our success.鈥 

During her third year in the program, Wyble鈥檚 son passed away. 

Though many would see that as a reason to stop, for Wyble, the support she received was a reason to keep pushing. 

鈥淚 started getting text messages and beautiful flowers from my classmates, and faculty showed up at his wake,鈥 she says. 鈥淲hen you have that level of support from your team 鈥 your faculty and your classmates 鈥 how can you not finish?鈥 

When Wyble walked across the stage in May 2023 to accept her diploma, the team that supported her through her biggest challenges was there to celebrate her success. 

鈥淗e鈥檚 here with you today,鈥 Dr. Lisa Broussard, interim dean of the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, whispered to her as they posed for a photo at Commencement. 

The Value of a DNP 

Wyble had already earned three master鈥檚 degrees before she decided to earn her DNP degree: an MBA, an MHA, and an M.S. in Nursing. 

She went for the DNP because she felt she still had more to learn 鈥 and more of an impact to make 鈥 as a nursing executive. 

鈥淚 wanted to be at the height of my nursing profession,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my responsibility to ensure that I鈥檓 meeting all of the essentials of what it means to be a great nurse.鈥 

She asserts that while her MSN program taught her to be a good leader, it was the DNP program that helped her better understand how to serve the profession by looking at the health systems, structures, and protocols in place and evaluating how they can be more effective. 

鈥淚t goes beyond just caring for one patient,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about looking out community-wide outcomes, identifying where the gaps are, understanding the demographics and care delivery models, and making appropriate decisions.鈥 

鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we have this Doctor of Nursing Practice program and continue to support nurses completing this program. This program is building a stronger nursing profession and a stronger healthcare industry across the country.鈥 

Her advice to nurses considering the program? Commit to it, and make sure you understand why you鈥檙e making that commitment. 

鈥淗old on to why you鈥檙e doing this,鈥 she says. 鈥淕o back to that when things get really difficult.鈥 


Reach the height of your nursing profession and make an impact in healthcare by earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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