From a decade-long career as a hairdresser to her acceptance into a Ph.D. program in Nursing, Cassey Bullard’s career path has been anything but traditional. As she stood behind her salon chair, she never imagined that the girl from rural Iowa, with a town of 960 people and one traveling doctor, would be on her way back to the Hawkeye State as a Registered Nurse, bachelor’s degree recipient, and doctoral degree candidate.
“Coming from a really non-traditional background without a college guidance counselor or any sort of help in that aspect, to ending up where I am today feels pretty amazing,” she said.
After receiving her associate’s degree in nursing from Quincy College, Cassey thought that her next step should be to get her bachelor’s. Through a friend, she discovered the RN-BS program at Curry, made for nurses who wish to advance and broaden their career options.
In her words, the RN-BS program was not only just a stepping stone for her career but was more so a valuable deep dive into different possibilities in nursing.
“The RN-BS program at Curry developed me in ways that my ASN program did not. My Population Health class was particularly beneficial for me, because that's the area that I've been working in as a nurse,” Cassey said. “It made me appreciate my career choices, but it also prepared me to think about nursing in a broader scope instead of just the patient and the disease state and treating it to get them out of the hospital.”
Cassey discovered through her classes -particularly with School of Nursing and Health Sciences professors Dr. Coleen Toronto and Dr. Donna DelloIacono -that what she enjoyed most was reading, writing, and discussing topics in an academic setting, which ultimately led her to the idea of pursuing her Ph.D.
“Getting this far in my career makes me believe that people can do anything they set their minds to, and if they're lucky enough to have people help them along the way.”
For Cassey, her supportive village ranges from an encouraging partner and family members to the knowledgeable and approachable professors in the classroom at Curry.
Dr. Toronto was one of the many influential faculty who supported Cassey throughout her journey.
Dr. Toronto was one of the many influential faculty who supported Cassey throughout her journey.
“When I told Professor Toronto about my desire to pursue a Ph.D., I had some insecurities where maybe she would think, ‘Oh, I don't think you're prepared,’ or ‘Maybe you're not the right fit,’ but she was so enthused by that idea, and supported me wholeheartedly.” Such mentorship is the cornerstone of Curry College nursing—how the faculty-student relationship can shape a student’s future.
Reflecting on Cassey’s personal growth, Dr. Toronto said, “What stood out most was Cassey’s deep appreciation for the philosophical underpinnings of nursing. She recognized that nursing is not just about evidence-based practice but also about understanding the “why” behind what we do. Her writing became more analytical, her perspectives more refined, and her confidence in her academic voice grew significantly. By the end of the course, she was no longer just contemplating the next step in her career—she was actively carving a path toward a future in nursing philosophy and academia.”
Cassey will relocate to Iowa for the Ph.D. program this summer after providing for women and children at the Dimock Center in Roxbury. Founded in 1862, the Dimock Center was the first hospital in New England, and second in the country, that was opened and opened by women, for women. Cassey hopes to transform her passion for supporting underrepresented communities, especially women, into academic research by focusing on the menopause transition for her Ph.D. studies.
“My area of interest is more on qualitative research,” she said. “For example, how people's perception of aging or how their experience in different societies affects the symptoms that they might feel during menopause. I also have an interest in the experience of women with PTSD and how that affects the menopause transition.”
When asked about her scholarly ambitions, she quickly replied with a desire to study women in healthcare.
Ultimately, her goal is to give back. To act on her sense of what’s right, and what it means to be in service—all qualities that make her “one in a million,” as described by Dr. Toronto.
“Cassey possesses a rare blend of intellectual curiosity, passion for nursing philosophy, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the profession,” said Dr. Toronto. “While many nurses pursue advanced clinical roles, Cassey is drawn to the theoretical and philosophical dimensions of nursing—an area that requires deep reflection, critical inquiry, and a dedication to shaping the future of nursing scholarship. Her journey is just beginning, but I have no doubt that she will leave an indelible mark on the profession.”