Master of Science Nursing

Gardner-Webb alumna Morgan Curtis embodies the mission of the Hunt School of Nursing: to prepare healthcare professionals who are not only competent in their skills but also compassionate in their approach. Graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2019 and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 2023, Morgan’s journey is a testament to her dedication to both patient care and nursing education.

As an undergraduate student, Morgan found herself drawn to Gardner-Webb’s close-knit, student-centered community. “Gardner-Webb became a place of community, friendship, and growth,” she shared. “As an undergraduate in the nursing program, I was never just a number. They wanted to see me grow as a person, nurse, and as a follower of Christ. They prayed with me, and I knew they were praying for us outside of the classroom, too.”

Morgan’s passion for nursing was inspired by personal experiences. In high school, a close family friend was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, and it was during this time that Morgan saw the true impact of compassionate nursing care. “The care provided by nurses during that time had a profound impact on me. It became clear that nursing was the path God was leading me to take,” she explained.

Morgan’s time at Gardner-Webb was marked by hands-on experiences that allowed her to grow in her role as both a nurse and a mentor. She combined her love for teaching and nursing by serving as a tutor and leading study groups during her BSN program. She credits her professors for nurturing her growth and her swim team coaches for instilling resilience and discipline. “They had a huge impact on my life,” she affirmed. “My faculty and coaches worked hard to set me up for success in the classroom and in the pool. It is one of the biggest blessings I will never forget.”

After graduating with her BSN, Morgan began her career at the Cleveland Clinic, working in the Emergency Room (ER) before moving on to the pediatric ER at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her work at the bedside quickly earned her recognition from her supervisors. “My managers have described me as ‘a quick learner,’ ‘adaptable,’ ‘a critical thinker,’ and ‘an excellent teacher and mentor,'” she shared. “These skills were fostered by the education I received at Gardner-Webb.”

When Morgan enrolled in Gardner-Webb’s MSN program with a concentration in education, she aimed to combine her clinical expertise with her passion for teaching. As an MSN student, she completed her practicum at Cornerstone University, where she worked alongside faculty in the nursing department, participated in simulations, and even guest lectured. This experience opened the door for her first full-time teaching position as their nursing program expanded.

“I felt prepared as I took on a full teaching load, with one of the courses being a new course that had never been taught at Cornerstone,” Morgan said. “My success can be attributed to the preparation of the Gardner-Webb professors and the design of the MSN program.”

Today, Morgan is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Cornerstone University, where she continues to inspire the next generation of nurses. Her students often commend her for her dedication and supportive approach. One student noted, “Probably one of my favorite courses this semester largely due to the effective way the content was taught. While a heavy class, the professor was very effective at providing activities to help the students learn. I truly felt the professor wanted the students to succeed, and that made such a difference in my motivation in this class.”

Morgan Curtis’s story is a powerful example of how Gardner-Webb University’s MSN program supports its students not only in achieving academic excellence but also in becoming transformative leaders in the nursing field. Her commitment to patient care, nursing education, and fostering compassionate, Christ-centered growth serves as an inspiration to all who wish to make a difference in healthcare.