Name: Iris Freisner
Year of graduation from Mount Carmel School of Nursing: 1966, Diploma
Year of graduation from Mount Carmel College of Nursing: 2007, BSN
Other degrees/credentials: I earned my MSN in 2013 from Walden University and have been certified in Nursing Professional Development through ANCC since 2009.
Current hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Professional highlights: Definitely being a two-time graduate of MCCN, earning my MSN and becoming certified. My personal highlights include that I am married to my best friend, Greg, and our "blended" family consists of four daughters, three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren and a dog named Daisy!
When did you first feel the call to be a nurse? When my mother told me that, because my sister was the teacher, I was going to be a nurse. Seriously, even though that is how it started, there has never been a day that I have not professed my love of nursing.
What television shows do you have to DVR every week? The Blacklist, 24 and Mike and Molly.
What is your favorite memory of Mount Carmel? Hmm…probably the water fight our senior year, which occurred one week before graduation and almost had a negative outcome on our graduation. Also, the friendships that were developed then and how I have been able to reconnect with many friends through social media, such as Facebook.
How has your Mount Carmel network helped you in your life — personally or professional or both? I have always considered Mount Carmel to be part of my extended family, and I am very fortunate that it has provided me with many opportunities to advance in my career. Dr. Ann Schiele has played a very important role in my career development – from the time I had her as an instructor in the Diploma program, and later to her giving me the opportunity to be part of the college family as an assistant clinical instructor – and now in my current role as an adjunct faculty member in the Online RN-BSN program. I still get excited when I hear of new changes within healthcare and possible opportunities for me to grow as a nurse.
What book is currently on your nightstand (or at the top of your Kindle favorites)? Fly Away, by Kristin Hannah. I read light, “beachy” books in the spring and summer and deeper, more involved books in the fall and winter.
What advice would you like to share with other nurses as they move from being students to alumni of Mount Carmel? They need to breathe, ask questions and be good to themselves!
