For Jacobson, who has had the visual impairment for 25 years, the online program presented an opportunity for her to return to a profession she loves.

“I was intrigued to be able to do something in nursing without patient contact,” she says.

Her journey to this degree — her second master’s in nursing and fifth overall — has been filled with challenges.

With a passion for caring for others, she pursued a career in nursing. After earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she initially worked at the bedside before joining the U.S. Air Force where she had the rank of captain, worked as a labor and delivery nurse, attended nursing flight school, and served during the Persian Gulf War.

“My plan was to go to medical school to become an obstetrician or midwife and deliver babies,” she says. She even had completed all of her pre-med requirements while being a single parent and serving in active duty.

That journey, however, was cut short after a procedure to remove thyroid cancer triggered a reaction in her eyes — causing her vision to slowly deteriorate.

Despite the challenges of her disability and in life, she continued to care for others as now a mother to five children and she continued to pursue an education, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in nursing health policy and a law degree.

While juggling the demands of being a mother and a student, she earned good grades and was an active community volunteer — even serving as president of her son’s basketball booster club.

“I’ve had a lot of unfortunate things happen to me, but who doesn’t,” Jacobson says. Her advice for other students, “Focus on what you’re doing today or this semester. That is what you need to worry about.”

After practicing law for several years (she had to close the practice to focus on her family), she returned to school and enrolled in the — one of only a few nationwide.

During the program, she needed to complete clinical rotation and worked alongside renowned simulation expert and nurse practitioner in a Central Florida clinic.

“I really enjoyed it, as I really miss being able to be a nurse,” Jacobson says. “I still have a lot of nursing knowledge, and it was great to tap into that and belong in that group again.”

She also spent three days in UCF’s .

“They were really excellent at providing accommodations for me,” she says. Those accommodations included hooking up Jacobson’s 27-inch iMac, her “window to the world.”

In the program at UCF, one class in particular stood out.

“UCF’s evidence-based practice class is outstanding,” she says. “I learned so much and I enjoyed it a lot.”

In fact, it sparked a desire to learn more and she’s now pursuing an evidence-based practice certification.

Jacobson planned to walk across the stage at UCF’s Spring 2023 commencement for the very first time since nursing school 40 years ago, but unfortunately, is needed to care for family. Fortunately, she will have another opportunity.

Her commitment to lifelong learning is not stopping with this degree. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in nursing science, a certificate in nurse coaching, and a graduate certificate in medical writing and editing at other universities. She also recently earned certifications in Python and machine learning, which she plans to use in her data analysis for her doctoral degree and in other research environments.

For Jacobson, knowledge is power and she plans to use that power to help others through advocacy for other nurses with disabilities.

“We should support each other, and support our fellow nurses with disabilities.”

“There is a lot they can do, and they can still make contributions to the profession,” she says. “We should support each other, and support our fellow nurses with disabilities.”

She is leading by example and, with her degrees, will continue to make contributions to the profession by advancing nursing science through research. She is first focused on validating nurse coaching.

“I think nurse coaches can do a tremendous amount, and fill the gap a lot in healthcare,” she says.

“Being back on the field and feeling the support of my teammates and coaches was an indescribable feeling. Those moments meant the world to me,” says Turner, who played the entire 90-minute session, had two saves and was recognized as a graduating senior during the pre-game senior-night ceremony. “We learn a lot about ourselves when we are forced to overcome life’s circumstances. Through all that I’ve experienced in the last year, I’ve found strength that I never knew I had. I’ve found a sense of peace that I value more than anything.”

A native of Frisco, Texas, Turner will be earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology during UCF’s Summer 2021 Commencement. Now in cancer remission, she is leaving the university with an optimistic resolve toward realizing her dream of playing soccer professionally and eventually becoming a success in the business world.

Recently, Turner signed with a sports management agency and plans to try out for international soccer clubs in Europe this fall. A soccer player since 6, she says the sport speaks to her love for team unity as well as her naturally physical and competitive nature. Prior to coming to UCF in 2019, Turner was a two-year member of the Women’s Premier Soccer League and toured with the Puerto Rican Women’s National Team in 2017.

At UCF, Turner has earned the reputation for being a gritty competitor. Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, the head coach of the women’s soccer team, believes Turner has all that it takes to succeed in both athletics and her professional endeavors.

“Nahla Turner is a true story of perseverance, and it has been a personal pleasure coaching her and watching her grow as an athlete and a person.” — Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak, UCF women’s soccer coach

“Nahla Turner is a true story of perseverance, and it has been a personal pleasure coaching her and watching her grow as an athlete and a person. From the beginning of her ordeal, she was laser focused on beating cancer and coming back to the soccer field better than ever,” says Roberts Sahaydak, who has been Turner’s coach since she transferred to UCF. “When I look at all that she has overcome in the last year, I have no doubts that this young woman is destined for greatness in anything that she puts her mind to.”

Turner was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma on Jan. 9, 2020 — although her battle with cancer began five months prior. Turner recalls a nagging, acute pain in her left hip first started in July 2019. Believing that she had simply landed awkwardly on her hip during practice, she waived off the pain as a minor injury.

Yet, the pain persisted. By the end of the fall semester, it had evolved into a debilitating ailment, leaving Turner unable to walk without the assistance of crutches. During winter break, she took a biopsy that eventually led to her cancer diagnosis.

“At first, I was in disbelief. I actually laughed because I thought they had made a mistake,” says Turner, who received her diagnosis while she was in the Women’s Soccer training facility surrounded my well-wishers. “Then, when the reality of the situation finally set in, I just lost it — screaming, crying and wondering why all of this was happening to me?”

Following her diagnosis, Turner endured through eight months of chemo and proton therapy treatments. During her treatment period, she says much of her time was spent in self-reflection, examining how she views life and her career trajectory after soccer.

“I take nothing for granted now. I know now that the only thing certain in life is death, and you always have to go through life like tomorrow might be your last day.”— Nahla Turner, UCF student-athlete

The daughter of a software-sales executive and a human resources professional, Turner aspires to a career in entrepreneurship once she retires from professional sports. She has interests in everything from fashion design to sports management and looks forward to exploring all of those options as she endeavors through her athletics career. For now, her primary focus is on soccer and she approaches the sport with a greater appreciation for what it means in her life.

“This stage in my life has given me a chance to discover who I am as a person, and I do feel that there’s a difference between who I was then and who I am now,” she says. “Now, I am grateful for everyday that I have and each thing that I have earned in this world. I take nothing for granted now. I know now that the only thing certain in life is death, and you always have to go through life like tomorrow might be your last day.”

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