Logan McCulley’s path to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree began when he flipped a four-wheeler and broke his femur into three pieces in Fayette County. He was 14.
“I thought, ‘Accidents will happen. You can be prepared or not.’ So, I decided I wanted to be a paramedic,” McCulley said. He graduated from Gateway Christian Schools homeschool program at 17 and had an emergency medical technician (EMT) license by the time he was 18. He became a licensed paramedic the following year.
The journey that started with a broken femur has culminated in a career as a nurse practitioner, thanks to determination, family support, and grant funding available to DNP students. Now 29, McCulley is a married father of two who has already passed his board certification as a family nurse practitioner ahead of commencement. When he graduates from UT Health Science Center’s DNP program on May 12, you may call him Dr. McCulley, and he already has a job. “I’m ready to rock ‘n’ roll,” he said.
Applications are open for the DNP program, which is ranked No. 25 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The deadline to apply is May 1.
McCulley is a first-generation college graduate, so earning a bachelor’s degree wasn’t discussed much when he was growing up. Attaining a doctorate before the age of 30 wasn’t even on his radar. But after becoming a paramedic, McCulley realized he wanted additional training so he could take the best possible care of his patients. He went to work for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital as a paramedic to learn more about pediatrics.
“When I was in the ER (at Le Bonheur) and saw all that nurses do – managing patients, doing training, creating policies and procedures – I decided I wanted to be part of that,” he said.
He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) while working full-time as a paramedic and managing a second, part-time job on the side. He was on the go from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Walking into nursing school for the first time, past the columns and down the stadium seating for 150 people, I felt way, way out of my element. I had imposter syndrome,” he said.
After earning his BSN and working for a few years, McCulley again wanted to expand his influence as a health care provider by becoming a nurse practitioner. This time, he looked to UT Health Science Center. A deciding factor was the commitment by the college to find a site for students to attain required clinical hours, he said.
Grant funding through the college also helped pay for his education. The third year of the three-year DNP was covered by a stipend through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant that supports advanced practice nursing students committed to serving rural and underserved communities. During his second year, McCulley participated in the DNP Rural Scholars program through a HRSA grant that is expanding access to rural Lake and Lauderdale counties. Participating students complete a quality improvement project with a rural clinical partner and receive a stipend of 50% of their tuition.
McCulley enjoyed the rural work and said he could see himself working in a rural setting in the future. “You don’t realize how little resources the rural community has until you go out there,” he said. “Being able to help improve that situation is the most rewarding part.”
The most difficult aspect of the DNP program has been balancing family needs with work and school, he said. McCulley’s infant son Samuel spent a month in the neonatal intensive care unit when he was born several months ago. McCulley credits his wife, Jennifer, for making it possible for him to continue to work and go to school during such a stressful time. “Without her love and support, all of this would have fallen apart.” He also cited their Christian faith as a source of strength and peace in facing challenges in school and life.
Associate Professor Laura Reed, DNP, APRN, FNP-B, CNE, director of special academic programs for the college, said McCulley has been an asset to the DNP program. “He is a student leader and always willing to volunteer for our community health events in the rural communities as well as in the Memphis Metropolitan area,” she said. “It has been a great honor to watch him grow into his role as an advanced practice registered nurse.”
McCulley is proud to be part of the UT Health Science Center DNP program, which is known for its high standards. For the last four years, the first-time board pass rate for FNP graduates has been 100%, and the DNP program continues to be highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
“The response you get in the community for being a UT graduate is worth making it a point to come to UT,” he said.
Watch McCulley give a tour of the Nursing Mobile Health Unit when it was unveiled in 2023: