From Medical Writer to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Serena Hess
Post-Master's Nursing Certificate: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Class of 2024
Serena Hess always had a passion for helping people who are struggling with mental health challenges. Originally a pre-med student, she planned to study psychiatry before her educational journey led her into the field of medical writing.
For 15 years she worked as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry, where she specialized in writing protocols for drug studies and summarizing the results.
“The pay was lucrative,” she says, “but I really missed the patient interaction. I wanted to make a difference by working with people rather than writing 1,400-page documents.” So at the age of 39, she made the bold decision to change careers and start on the path to becoming a nurse.
Taking the Leap into Nursing
With a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, she enrolled in DePaul University’s Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP), designed specifically for individuals looking to transition into nursing.
“That program allowed me to get both my nursing degree and some graduate-level coursework under my belt,” she explains.
After graduating, Serena worked as a registered nurse for five years, gaining experience in postpartum care, adolescent and pediatric psychiatry, Parkinson’s care, and even clinical research nursing. But still, the desire for more autonomy and advanced practice started to grow.
At first, returning to school didn’t seem like an option. “I thought, ‘I don’t need to go back to school again,’ especially since I became a nurse later in my career,” she says. “But after a few years in the field, I realized how much more I could do as a nurse practitioner.”
Choosing Bradley for her Post-Master's Certificate
When researching schools, Serena says there were a number of factors that put Bradley University’s online Post-Master's Certificate program.
“I wanted to keep my education local to ensure there weren’t licensure complications,” she explains. Bradley stood out not only as an Illinois-based institution but also for its flexibility in transferring credits from previous graduate-level courses she had completed.
“I appreciated how Bradley recognized my prior coursework and didn’t make me retake classes,” Serena says. “At my age, paying my way through school, every credit counted.”
This flexibility, combined with Bradley’s reputation for excellence, made it the ideal choice for furthering her career.
While deciding to further her education was a significant step, choosing psychiatric-mental health as her area of specialization felt natural.
“In the end, it came back to my interest in the world of psychiatry and behavioral health,” she says. “It’s always been the field where I was the most comfortable and felt like I had the most to offer.”
Navigating Online Learning and Finding Support
Although returning to school online came with its challenges, Serena says she received tremendous support from Bradley’s faculty and staff.
She cites Katherine Sarsfield, the PMHNP program director, as playing an especially important role in her Bradley experience.
“Online classes can sometimes be tricky because there’s a lot of self-teaching involved,” Serena says. “But Professor Sarsfield was always available for questions and made sure our classes were interactive and engaging. She fostered group projects that helped us connect with our classmates, even though we were scattered across the country.”
For Serena, the guidance she received wasn’t limited to coursework. “Professor Sarsfield was transparent about what it’s like being a nurse practitioner and offered insights on everything from promoting yourself to passing boards and finding jobs. Her support made the experience truly exceptional.”
Putting Her Skills into Practice at the VA Hospital
Serena graduated with her PMHNP certificate in May 2024 and quickly secured a residency as a nurse practitioner at the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chicago.
“It was very competitive,” Serena says of the application process. “I think there were 30 applicants and maybe four of us were chosen. Bradley really prepared me to be in a position to be selected, and I’m thankful for that.”
During her yearlong residency, Serena is working with veterans who are facing a wide range of mental health issues, while gaining valuable experience in areas including outpatient psychiatry, residential psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and women's health psychiatry.
She says this residency will better prepare her to decide on the next step of her journey.
“I obviously want to continue to work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. The wonderful part about being at the VA is I’m getting a tase of all these different paths I can pursue. It’s been really interesting to experience all these things, and I can’t wait to see where I land.”
A Message to Aspiring Nurses
For nurses considering a career move or thinking about returning to school later in life, Serena offers a simple but powerful piece of advice.
“Don’t be afraid to take that leap. It’s never too late to find your passion and pursue a career that aligns with your values and goals.”
Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Explore how Bradley University’s online post-master's certificates and degrees can help you make an even greater impact in healthcare