Alumni Profile - Dr. Dori Lawson
May 2013
In celebration of National Nurses Week, the Alumni Association would like to share the story of one medical professional who is having quite a career. Dr. Dori Lawson, Nurse Practitioner-Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certified, graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing, a Master’s of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice in just over a decade thanks in part to her studies at the College. As a non-traditional student, Dr. Lawson is a shining example of our Nursing division and we commend all our Allied Heath professionals working to assist their communities in these important roles.
What year did you graduate from Delaware County Community College and with what degree?
"Actually, I did not graduate from the College; I transferred to West Chester University in 2003 to begin the first part of my journey to become a Doctor of Nursing Practice. I had earned enough credits to be considered an alumna so that I could finish my Bachelor of Science in nursing degree in just two semesters in 2004. It was a lot of work, but so well worth the reward."
Did you pursue further academic goals?
"I went straight from West Chester University to Wilmington University to earn my Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2007. After a year off to gain my footing as a Nurse Practitioner in my new role (after all, I had been a registered nurse for 30 years), I went on to earn my Doctor of Nursing Practice from Robert Morris University in 2012. It still makes me wonder what I was thinking…diploma to Doctorate in eleven years…It is not recommended for the feint of heart."
What are you doing now?
"I am a Nurse Practitioner with Cardiology Associates of West Reading outside of Reading, Pennsylvania. My career interest has always been cardiology. I work both in the office managing our anticoagulation clinic; doing stress testing and seeing a variety of patients, as well as at Reading Hospital where I help treat acute care patients."
What are your future plans?
"At some point, this middle aged body will not want to work 50 hour weeks at its current pace. I am enjoying mentoring and precepting Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates and Nurse Practitioner students from many programs, not just the ones I graduated from. They find me, and I assess my time and their dedication. Right now I have a Doctor of Nursing Practice candidate I am working with who is originally from Nigeria from Widener University, and a Family Nurse Practitioner candidate from Drexel University. I enjoy lecturing to various groups about emerging issues in cardiology and health and wellness. I hope to be able to pass on my 40 plus years of experience to the new generation of nurses and Nurse Practitioners in academia someday."
What advice would you give to current students and Alumni to make the most of the education they received from the College?
"The experience I had at the College restarted my career. I was a diploma nurse with lots of credentials but no direction. I was 44 years old, and scared to death to go back to school in 2001, but when I started, I found the incredible support of the professors who made my transition from single working mom to nontraditional college student not so bad! I worked in the quiet of my home with online courses, and (shyly at first) on campus in my art class."
"The education you receive at the College goes with you everywhere from a bachelor degree to a doctorate. Whether it is a course in Cultural Studies, History, English or Computer Science, learning how to put together a PowerPoint and Excel spreadsheet, you will take the foundation you build with you to every level you choose to achieve. Thank you, Delaware County Community College and my professors for all you have helped me achieve."
The Alumni Association is pleased to honor the work of all our Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing professionals who make a difference in the lives of others on a daily basis.
