What is your current position?
Urgent Care RN and Nursing@USC FNP student

Where are you from?
Kihei, Hawaii

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Crystal Yaple, my pronouns are she/her. I am a graduate nursing student, wrapping up my last two terms with USC’s MSN program. I have been a nurse for four years with experience in hospice, home health, and urgent care. I have loved every nursing position I have held thus far, especially that of an FNP student.

Why did you decide to earn your Master of Science in Nursing?
I saw a need for healthcare providers on Maui and I wanted to increase access to high quality healthcare for those in my community. Thus, acquiring new skills and broadening my knowledge base by pursuing my MSN was a steppingstone towards achieving this goal.

Why did you decide to pursue your degree with Nursing@USC?
Nursing@USC’s unique and progressive approach of integrating social work perspectives into the nursing curriculum really interested me. Additionally, I was comforted to know that there was a clinical placement team to assist with finding and securing all clinical placements for me.

Do you attend Nursing@USC part time or full time?
I attend on a part-time basis.

What excites you most about the program?
The instructors are extremely credible and well-rounded, making for high quality education. Additionally, I love having the opportunity to connect with other future FNPs across the country, making lifelong friends/colleagues.

Is there a course you have particularly enjoyed? If so, why?
I was surprised to find that nursing research and health policy sparked my interest, as these are not the subjects I typically gravitate towards. After completing these courses, I feel much more comfortable with analyzing literature and my motivation to work towards health policy reform has increased exponentially.

In your opinion what is the best thing about earning your MSN online with USC?
I am so thankful to have been able to continue working towards my MSN with USC despite having moved three times, working part-time and full-time, and going through several life events. Having the flexibility of virtual learning paired with clinical experiences wherever I lived was invaluable. I also received a significant amount of support from both my instructors and the student success team, for which I am forever grateful.

Tell us about your on-campus intensive (OCI) experiences.
OCI was amazing! These weekends were jam packed with so many hands-on learning experiences that I wish I could keep going back for more! Being able to meet my classmates and instructors in person was such a treat. Also, the white coat ceremony was delightful.

Is there a particular professor or faculty member that you have especially enjoyed working with?
I honestly cannot choose just one. I have felt extremely cared for and supported by everyone I have worked with, from instructors to student support staff members.

Tell us about your clinical placement experience thus far.
My clinical experiences have been excellent thus far. I have had the opportunity to work with different populations and age groups in a variety of settings from pediatrics to internal medicine and soon, urgent care. I have grown so much with the support, knowledge, and experience from all my preceptors. These experiences are priceless.

After graduation, what is next for you?
My goal is to work in underserved areas on the island of Maui to improve the health and well-being of those in my community.

What else should we know about you?
In my free time I enjoy gardening, filming videos, watching Hallmark Christmas movies, and spending time with my friends and family.