Flexible online MBA allows nurse to grow as health-care leader
Leanne Bulmer chose Athabasca University so she could continue working and start a family
When Leanne Bulmer (Master of Business Administration ’12) started her executive MBA with Athabasca University in 2009, she worked full time as a nurse in Vancouver, B.C.
By the time she graduated 3 years later, Bulmer was living and working in Great Falls, Mont., where she held a leadership role in a large health-care system. Despite the change of cities and countries—and juggling a busy family life—she never lost sight of her education goals.
“I felt drawn to developing leadership and management skills as a health-care professional,” said Bulmer, who has a background as a registered nurse.
A more flexible education for career advancement
Bulmer is among the thousands of students who chose Athabasca University—Canada’s open university—for the flexibility of online programs, which can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection.
In fact, the online internationally accredited MBA program allowed her to continue working while studying at her own pace, but she also started a family.
Bulmer was more than 20 weeks pregnant with her first baby when she started her first in-residence program. This type of elective is delivered with a blend of online and face-to-face learning in major centres across Canada. By the time she graduated, she was pregnant with her second child.
Investing in education pays off
Bulmer’s commitment to growing her skills and advancing her career is already paying off. Since completing her MBA, she has held executive roles in health-care leadership in Chicago, Ill., and now is based in Nanaimo, B.C.
“Looking back on this time, I honestly am not sure how I juggled working, pregnancy, infants, and school. But I am so thankful to AU for offering a program that allowed me to reach my goals.”
