In celebration of National Nurses Month, we’re proud to spotlight two Capella University Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) alumni whose stories reflect the heart of the profession. Brint Bray, MSN, and Dione Coney, MSN, are both navigating the evolving demands of nursing with purpose, compassion, and a strong commitment to personal and professional growth.
Leading With Resilience: Dione Coney, MSN
For Dione Coney, pursuing her MSN in Nursing Education at Capella was a decision rooted in both ambition and self-awareness. She knew the path wouldn’t be easy, and she knew protecting her well-being would be just as important as reaching her academic goals. “Within the last year, I’ve had my share of obstacles while navigating the nursing profession,” she shares. “To better manage my well-being and resilience, I decreased the number of hours I worked as a bedside nurse while pursuing my nursing graduate degree.”
“Being an Adjunct Professor has decreased the demand this nursing profession once had on me and my well-being,” she says. “I feel I’m now better able to focus on my well-being and still be able to contribute to the profession. It’s the healthy work-life balance I needed.”
When asked what advice she would give to fellow nurses pursuing their degrees, her response is clear and compassionate: “Take it one day at a time. Move at your own pace, and don’t compare your progress to others. This path is not meant to be one-size-fits-all.”
Building Confidence and Community: Brint Bray, MSN
When Brint Bray enrolled at Capella, he was still relatively new to the field of nursing. What he found was more than academic rigor—it was personal transformation through confidence-building and leadership growth.
“I believe the biggest skill I developed throughout my time in the program was communication and becoming an overall better leader,” he says. “Over the course of five to six months, I became more confident in my communication while growing as a nursing leader within my unit.” But growth didn’t mean pushing through nonstop. Brint knew that caring for others started with caring for himself.
“One day a week was my ‘day away,’” he explains. “I would put aside all school and work-related items and focus on spending time with my family and pugs. These days away allowed me to refresh my mind and body, keeping me from burning out. Capella’s self-paced program made that possible.”
Honoring Nurses Who Lead With Heart
To all Capella nurses: thank you for your service, your strength, and your dedication. This month—and every month—we celebrate you.
