Courtney Davis spent 19 years in psychiatric nursing before finding a PMHNP path that fit her life. See how Old Dominion University’s flexible online format and nearby weekend sessions helped her expand patient care while staying present at home.
Courtney Davis, MSN '25 DNP '26, has a packed family calendar: two teenage athletes playing travel sports plus her own career as a nurse practitioner.
Online learning through ODUGlobal turned the logistics into a livable plan.
“I set hard boundaries for what matters,” said Davis, who lives in Virginia Beach. “I became a nurse practitioner, and I still don’t miss my kids’ games.”
Davis has worked as a psychiatric nurse for the past 19 years, but she felt her children were old enough for her to devote time to pursuing an advanced degree. She wanted to step into advanced practice without stepping away from her patients or having to give up following her sons’ sports teams.
She needed graduate studies compatible with clinic work, family needs and local travel.
ODU offered an online psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) pathway with in-person weekends nearby, she said.
“Online learning is the only option for me to be able to get my degree,” Davis said. “Without it, I wouldn’t have applied to the program.”
However, even with most coursework online, proximity still mattered. The PMHNP pathway includes mandatory in-person work, so Davis looked for a university she could reach in a reasonable drive. She found the right mix in Old Dominion University’s format—flexible during the week, on campus when it mattered.
Faculty set clear expectations, and working ahead before busy periods made the plan feel realistic.
At home, the family calendar keeps everything moving. Study blocks land next to away games. Lunch breaks become quick reading sessions. Some nights, the laundry waits.
Importantly, the online format didn’t mean going it alone. Davis found classmates who understood the same pressures and goals, and those relationships quickly moved beyond discussion boards.
“Ironically, my favorite part has been the friendships I have made,” she said.
Required in-person weekends turned names on a screen into study partners and sounding boards, the kind of support that helps when a course is tough, or life is busier than usual.
With this support and structure, the steady rhythm led to tangible change. Earning the PMHNP credential expanded Davis’ scope of practice. She now supports patients with medication management and psychotherapy, bringing more help to a field where need is high.
Her new role brought professional growth, real patient impact and more financial flexibility for her family without sacrificing what mattered most.
Momentum continues.
Davis earned her master’s in 2025, then immediately began her Doctor of Nursing Practice, aiming to finish in May 2026.
She plans to expand her practice, explore a clinic partnership or merger and teach future nurses.
“With a DNP, I’ll be armed with the tools I need to achieve these goals,” she said.
Looking to take the next step towards a nursing master’s degree? You can find more information on ODU’s online PMHNP program here.
