From Dreams to Doctorates: Mother and Daughter Graduate Together from FSU College of Nursing DNP Program

When mother and daughter Sonia Taylor and Jennifer Schneiders crossed the commencement stage at Florida State University, it didn’t just mark the completion of their Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees — it celebrated a powerful story of resilience, family and the transformative impact of education.

For the duo, their journey to this milestone is both deeply personal and universally inspiring.

Raised in a third-world country where education was a luxury, Taylor became the first member of her family to achieve higher education. Unfortunately, due to life’s demands, including years spent caring for her terminally ill husband, she put her dream of a doctorate on hold.

It was her daughter, Schneiders, who reignited that dream,

“She’s been the light of all my dreams,” Taylor said. “When she decided to apply to FSU, I told her it was a great school. She looked at me and said, ‘Why don’t you go back with me?’ That simple question changed everything.”

For Schneiders, the desire to advance her career beyond bedside nursing had been building since the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted to help shape health care policy and impact patient care delivery, goals aligned with her mother’s lifelong values. “My mom had always talked about returning for an advanced degree,” Schneiders said. “When I mentioned applying, she didn’t hesitate. It added fuel to the passion in both of us.”

“When she decided to apply to FSU, I told her it was a great school. She looked at me and said, ‘Why don’t you go back with me?’ That simple question changed everything.”

– Sonia Taylor, DNP student at FSU Nursing

Though their nursing paths differ, Taylor in critical care and Schneiders in emergency medicine, their perspectives and personalities have complemented each other throughout the program. “I’m fast-paced and instinctive. She’s methodical and precise,” Schneiders said. “Together, we balanced each other beautifully.”

Their DNP experience at FSU has been rich with shared memories, challenges and triumphs. From passionate road-trip debates over class materials (usually ending with, “Mama is always right.”) to long nights of studying between diaper changes and caregiving, their bond deepened not only as mother and daughter but as academic equals.

But balancing the demands of graduate school with personal responsibilities wasn’t easy. Taylor juggled coursework with caring for her elderly parents and supporting Schneiders through two pregnancies. “Helping Jennifer, babysitting grandchildren and dealing with family illnesses tested me to the core,” Taylor said. “But we leaned on each other through every obstacle.”

For Schneiders, the physical and mental toll of being a mother of four while pursuing a doctorate was intense. “The greatest challenge was managing two pregnancies during the program,” she said. “But my mom was my anchor. She stepped in so I could be a student and a mom.”

Taylor noted that watching Schneiders power through an OSCE exam at eight and a half months pregnant was a huge moment of pride and celebration. Similarly, Schneiders was deeply moved when her mother delivered her DNP project with a clear passion for working in global health care. “She’s always changed my world, but now she’s changing others’ too,” Schneiders said.

 “The greatest challenge was managing two pregnancies during the program, but my mom was my anchor. She stepped in so I could be a student and a mom.”

– Jennifer Schneiders, DNP student at FSU Nursing

Graduating from FSU, Taylor’s alma mater, is a full-circle moment. “Earning my DNP here alongside my daughter is a dream come true,” Taylor said. “As a family, it symbolizes resilience, love and progress.”

They hope their story will serve as inspiration, especially for women and families considering their own educational journeys. “It’s never too late,” Taylor said. “Your dreams don’t expire. Education changes everything.” Schneiders echoed the sentiment: “When mothers and daughters work together as equals, beautiful things happen.”

Armed with their DNP degrees, both women are “Boldly Rising” and looking ahead to the future. Schneiders hopes to influence health policy and improve care for vulnerable populations. Taylor is passionate about continuing to serve veterans, addressing health disparities, and someday joining Doctors Without Borders.

For now, they’re taking a moment to reflect on what they’ve achieved together. “This degree is the voice of a little girl from a small village who dreamed of learning,” Taylor said. “And it’s for Jennifer, who reminded me that it’s never too late to become who you were meant to be.”