Rutgers Nursing Grad Overcomes Mental Illness to Earn DNP

Image Source: Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

Jacqueline Lopez is living proof that determination—and a solid support system—can carry you through just about anything. This May, she’ll walk across the stage to receive her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Rutgers School of Nursing, according to Rutgers University. It’s the final step in a journey that’s taken nearly a decade and included some serious personal challenges, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

A Long Road to the Finish Line

Lopez, who came to the U.S. from Cuba in 1986, has always had a passion for helping people. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Rutgers-New Brunswick in 2000 and later discovered her love for psychiatric nursing during clinical rotations. But life threw her a curveball in 2013 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

That diagnosis extended her DNP journey from six years to eight. All the while, she was raising three kids as a single mom and working full-time as a case manager for foster children. Her days were packed, and there were moments when finishing her degree felt out of reach. But with counseling, medication, and a daily routine to help manage her condition, she kept moving forward.

“I am an example to those with mental illness. I am not unique,” Lopez says. "If I can succeed to become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, so can others who are just like me. I wish to create an environment in my practice where all of us feel valued."

Real-Life Experience Fuels Her Passion

Lopez brings a unique perspective to psychiatric-mental health nursing. In addition to her personal experiences, she’s worked as a sexual assault nurse examiner and in psychiatric emergency services—roles that gave her firsthand insight into the complexity of mental health care.

She says the support from Rutgers faculty made a huge difference. Professors worked with her to make sure she had what she needed to succeed, treating her like a whole person—not just a student with a diagnosis. That understanding helped her stay on track even when things got tough.

A Moment Worth Celebrating

At the upcoming Rutgers School of Nursing Convocation, Lopez will celebrate her DNP with her kids in the audience. It’s a moment she’s worked incredibly hard for—and one that symbolizes far more than just academic achievement.

Her story is a reminder to nurses everywhere: we all face challenges, but those challenges don’t define us. They can make us stronger, more empathetic, and more determined to be the kind of caregivers our patients need.

In a profession that often puts others first, Lopez’s journey is a powerful call to take care of ourselves, too—and to never underestimate what we’re capable of.

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