• W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship Recipient •

A Commitment to Care Through Doctoral Nursing Education

For Alexa Hall, advancing her nursing career has meant balancing long shifts, demanding coursework, and family life—all while staying grounded in her goal of serving patients across Arkansas.

Hall, 31, lives in central Arkansas and works full-time as a nurse at CARTI Cancer Center, where she transitioned into the recovery area of the surgery center to better balance clinical requirements with school. She is enrolled in the University of Arkansas’ online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program and will graduate in May of 2026. Along the way, she is completing both acute care and family practice certifications.

 “I’ll graduate with my doctorate in nursing practice and then I’ll sit for two different board certification exams,” Hall said.

Hall’s path to the DNP builds on years of hands-on experience. She previously worked in the trauma ICU at UAMS in Little Rock and earned her online Master of Science in Nursing from the U of A in May 2024. While her academic journey has been rigorous, the online format made continuing her education possible.

 “It has been a dream of mine to attend the U of A, and I wouldn’t have been able to do face-to-face living so far away,” Hall said. “The rigor and the intimacy of the program really drew me in.”

That sense of connection stood out to Hall from the beginning. In researching online nursing programs, she wanted more than flexibility—she wanted meaningful relationships with faculty.

“Building meaningful relationships with instructors is important to me because, in many online programs, it’s easy to feel disconnected or reduced to just a number,” she said. “I wanted an experience that felt personal and supportive.”

That support has been evident throughout her time in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. Two faculty members, in particular, made a lasting impact on Hall’s tenure as a student in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the U of A.

“Dr. Carmel Kruse…has been a part of my journey from the start of the program,” Hall said. “She cares so much, she keeps things real and is incredibly supportive. I always feel comfortable going to her—there’s never a question that feels too small or unimportant.”

Hall also credits Dr. Anna Jarrett, who taught during her acute care concentration.

“She actually stayed a year beyond when she was going to retire to finish teaching me because I was the last one in my cohort, and that meant the world to me,” Hall said.

Balancing a full-time job, full-time coursework, and family responsibilities hasn’t been easy, but the flexibility of online learning has made it manageable. For Hall, being able to work at any point of the day was super beneficial.

“Not having a designated in-person class to attend every week makes it so much more flexible, especially when you have an 8-year-old and three crazy pups running around,” she said.

Hall says the program’s resources have also played a critical role in her success, especially as she works on her DNP project. From research tools provided by the university to extensive library support, she’s found the infrastructure behind online learning to be just as strong as the coursework itself. She has also relied on the Writing Studio throughout her program, meeting regularly with graduate-level tutors to refine her academic writing.

“The amount of resources available through the library system is exponential,” she said. “The writing studio has been incredibly helpful with multiple writing assignments and projects, and scheduling an appointment is very convenient.”

Financially, pursuing a terminal degree while working full time has required determination and planning. Hall continues to work to support herself and her family while navigating the costs associated with graduate education.

Because of that perseverance, Hall is one of 35 recipients of the W.E. Manning Memorial Scholarship for online University of Arkansas students for the 2025–26 academic year. Established in 2018, the scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing online degrees and reflects a shared belief in the transformative power of education.

“Finances can be a significant challenge, especially at the graduate level,” she said. “Receiving scholarships has always been a relief—it lifts a weight and allows me to continue my studies and pursue my terminal degree without the added stress of financial burden.”

Looking ahead, Hall plans to remain focused on direct patient care, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

“My hope is to pass my boards, become a nurse practitioner, and serve the incredible citizens of Arkansas,” she said. “Being able to see that side of care has reinforced just how strongly I want to give back and support the communities that shaped me.”

For students considering an online degree, Hall encourages them to fully engage—even from a distance.

“Even as an online student, there are so many ways to stay involved with campus,” she said. “I truly feel like I’m a part of the university community, and it’s clear they genuinely want us to succeed.”