For Robin Ojo, continuing her education has always had to fit alongside a full life.

Ojo was raising three children and working full-time at Porter Hills Village Senior Living when she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Davenport University in 2018. Davenport’s online program gave her the flexibility to continue working while completing her degree.

Years later, when Ojo was ready to take the next step in her career, she returned to Davenport to pursue a Long-Term Care Postbaccalaureate Certificate.

Today, Ojo serves as director of nursing and infection preventionist at Porter Hills in Grand Rapids, which provides independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. She has worked at Porter Hills for 10 years, beginning as a nurse manager before moving into her current leadership role.

“I enjoy skilled nursing because it allows me to provide holistic care to the geriatric population, which is my favorite. 

With an eye toward becoming a nursing home administrator (NHA), Ojo enrolled in Davenport’s Long-Term-Care Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program at the encouragement of her employer.

“I chose Davenport because I had a great experience there while getting my BSN and felt the certificate program was great for someone like me working full-time. Davenport’s certificate also meets the criteria for the Michigan NHA licensure, which I need to take the next step in my career,” she said. 

The certificate is designed for professionals who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to move into leadership roles in long-term care without pursuing another degree.

“This certificate is built for people like Robin who are already working in health or human services and want a credible, efficient path into administration, whether that’s a nursing home, assisted living, or home- and community-based care,” said Joe Brown, Davenport’s department chair of Allied Health and program director of Health Information. The coursework maps directly to what Michigan expects of licensed nursing home administrators.”

Ojo said the program prepared her for the NHA exam while broadening her understanding of the business and administrative side of healthcare, including the laws, regulations and responsibilities involved in operating a long-term care facility. 

After earning her nursing home administrator license, Ojo said the additional credential has expanded her career opportunities. But she believes the education has made her better at her current job, too.

“Even if I don’t become a nursing home administrator, it was still worth it because the certification has helped me become a better collaborator and understand the perspective of nursing home administrators,” she said.  

Ojo also credits the partnership between Davenport and Brio Living Services, the parent company of Porter Hills, with making her education more attainable. Through the partnership, she received a tuition discount while earning her BSN, and Brio funded her post-baccalaureate certificate.

For a working nurse raising a family while continuing to advance professionally, that combination of flexibility, employer support and education has allowed Ojo to keep moving forward without putting her career on hold.