WGU Graduate Speaker, DeAnna Klingbeil

<p>WGU graduate DeAnna Klingbeil spoke at the WGU 2017 regional commencement in Indianapolis.</p> <p>DeAnna Klingbeil earned her Master of Science, Nursing Leadership and Management degree.</p> <p>Transcription of video:</p> <p>DeAnna Klingbeil: Good morning. It really is quite symbolic, and pretty awesome that all of our family and friends are sitting behind the graduates this morning because really, you guys have been the ones that have behind us during this whole journey. So I just wanted to take time to say thank you so much. </p> <p>I've always wanted to be a nurse. When I was little, my dad would appease me by lying on the couch as my patient. I would take his temperature, bandage him up, and kiss away his pseudo pain. When I got older, my mom encouraged me to sign up to be a candy striper at the local hospital, and I loved it, pinafore and all. </p> <p>Even so, it took me years to get my associate's degree in nursing. Fear of math, chemistry, this theme followed me for years; signing up for bachelor's programs, and then withdrawing. </p> <p>Then I found WGU. WGU provided just the right amount of structure, yet independent type of study that I needed. The day I finished my bachelor's program I thought, "What a relief. I'm never doing that again." [Laughter] I think it was less than a year later though I did sign up for the master's program. </p> <p>WGU taught me how to fight for patient advocacy, optimize patient outcomes, and present to stakeholders policy changes that we as graduates developed. </p> <p>Today, I'm an outpatient psych nurse at an OCD/anxiety clinic. We are currently making a board with pictures of ourselves attempting to conquer some of our greatest fears to show the patients that we too can self improve. One of the patients flew up in a hot air balloon. Another faced her fear of spiders, and yet another even hugged a clown. </p> <p>Today, when I'm done, my picture is going to be on that board for two reasons. One for public speaking [Applause] and another for being in this graduating gown with my master's hood. [Applause] </p> <p>The funny thing about fear is that we usually aren't afraid about what we state we are afraid of. Kids aren't really afraid of the dark, they're afraid of what's in the dark. I wasn't afraid of math or chemistry, or any of the assignments they put in Taskstream. I was afraid of the humility of failing. I was afraid that I wouldn't succeed. But we all did it and pretty soon we're going to be walking up on this stage getting our diploma, so congratulations [Applause] </p> <p>So in closing I just want to say, continue to take leaps and expose yourself to all your fears. Thank you. [Applause] </p>