First comes love, then comes MEPN

Cameron McEntire and Julieta Fierro may have taken different paths to Harding University, but they found themselves on a shared journey in the Master of Entry into Professional Nursing program. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, McEntire was drawn to Harding for football while Fierro, an Argentine native, came for golf. Both had different undergraduate aspirations, yet their love for health care, nursing and each other brought them to the MEPN program together.

Their story, which began in an English class, has been built not only on shared academic pursuits but also on learning to support each other through the challenges of both marriage and a demanding graduate program. 

“Some people might think it’s easier because we’re married and can work together, but it’s not that simple,” says McEntire. While Fierro prefers reading for hours in silence, McEntire thrives on hands-on activities and group study sessions. They’ve had to balance not only their academic lives but also their personal relationship, often studying late into the night while still carving out time for each other.

“I would say that the hardest part about the whole program is just learning to make time for each other outside of education and outside of the stress of it all,” McEntire says. “It can be going on a date, or it can be as simple as making lunch, going out to the park with our dog and being out there for a little bit.”

Whether it’s through mastering complex clinical scenarios or tackling the interpersonal challenges of patient care, the MEPN program instills in them the confidence and competence needed to succeed. 

“It’s hard to imagine doing this alone,” Fierro says. “We both know we can get through it, but the program pushes us to our limits — and that’s what’s preparing us for the real world.”

Looking ahead, Fierro dreams of specializing in pediatrics, and McEntire hopes to pursue a doctorate in anesthesia. Both feel that the comprehensive training they are receiving will allow them to thrive in any health care setting whether it's in the pediatric ICU, operating room or even one day their own clinic in Argentina.

Their experience in the MEPN program has strengthened their bond and taught them resilience. The challenges of balancing clinical rotations, exams and personal time have only brought them closer. They’ve learned to support each other through the program’s most stressful moments, relying on each other’s strengths to tackle both academic and personal hurdles.

They credit their time in Harding’s MEPN program not only with preparing them for their careers but also with strengthening their relationship. “We’ve grown together,” Fierro says. “Nursing has taught us not just how to care for others, but how to care for each other.”

For now, they are focused on completing the program, one clinical rotation at a time. As they move forward, they are grateful for the opportunity to pursue their passion for health care together and excited to see where their shared journey will take them.

To learn more about the Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing program, schedule a visit or visit our program page.