Today we’d like to introduce you to Fleurette Sunjic.
Hi Fleurette , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey in healthcare began as a Mental Health Technician, where I was first introduced to the profound impact compassionate care can have on individuals and families. Working closely with patients during vulnerable moments sparked my interest in advancing my role within the healthcare system.
Soon after, I earned my Associate Degree in Nursing and began practicing as a Registered Nurse. Early in my nursing career, I had the opportunity to serve as a Charge Nurse, where I quickly became aware of a growing challenge within the healthcare system in the nursing shortage. Witnessing firsthand the strain this shortage placed on both healthcare professionals and patient care inspired me to look beyond bedside practice and search for meaningful solutions.
This experience ignited a passion for nursing education and workforce development. I recognized that one of the most impactful ways to address the shortage was to help educate and prepare the next generation of nurses.
That vision ultimately led to the establishment of a School of Nursing located in Longwood, Florida, created with the mission of helping to curb the nursing shortage while maintaining a strong commitment to educational excellence.
Today, we are proud to have successfully graduated multiple cohorts of nursing students, many of whom are now serving in a variety of healthcare specialties throughout our local community. Seeing our graduates step into their roles as healthcare professionals continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey.
Our mission remains clear: to educate, empower, and prepare the next generation of nurses who will strengthen the healthcare system and provide exceptional care to the communities they serve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Establishing a nursing school is a complex and multifaceted process that requires careful planning, regulatory compliance, and strong community partnerships. From the outset, programs must navigate the approval and oversight requirements of governing bodies such as the Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida Department of Education, ensuring that all academic, operational, and faculty standards are met. In addition to regulatory approval, schools must secure clinical placement opportunities by forming partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations, which can be challenging due to competition among programs for limited clinical sites. Equally important is the development of a comprehensive nursing curriculum that aligns with national nursing education standards and prepares graduates to successfully pass licensure examinations such as the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Together, these requirements demand significant coordination, resources, and dedication, but they are essential to ensuring that nursing programs produce competent, well-prepared nurses who are ready to meet the healthcare needs of their communities.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What sets our institution apart is our commitment to providing a more personalized and supportive learning environment. As a smaller institution, we are able to offer students a more individualized, one-on-one educational experience where faculty are accessible and invested in each student’s success. Our program structure also supports a healthy work–life balance, as students typically attend classes only two to three days per week, allowing many of them to continue working while pursuing their nursing education.
We also strive to make nursing education more accessible by offering in-house financing options, which helps support students who are committed to advancing their careers but may face financial barriers. Our nursing faculty bring many years of clinical experience and professional expertise to the classroom, ensuring that students receive both strong academic instruction and practical, real-world insight into the profession.
Another aspect we are particularly proud of is the diversity of our student body. Our students come from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where different perspectives, experiences, and histories contribute to a stronger educational community. This diversity helps prepare our graduates to care for patients from many different backgrounds within the communities they will serve.
Ultimately, what we are most proud of is our ability to graduate competent, compassionate nurses who go on to work in a variety of healthcare specialties throughout our community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor and building a strong professional network are essential steps for growth in any field, particularly in nursing and nursing education. One piece of advice I often share is to actively seek opportunities to connect with professionals who have experience in areas you hope to grow in. Professional meetings, conferences, and collaborative discussions can be great places to start meaningful relationships. In my experience, connecting with other nursing directors is vital for gaining knowledge and sharing ideas that foster innovation and help create an efficient and impactful curriculum and educational process. Learning from others who have navigated similar challenges allows you to exchange best practices, discuss solutions, and remain current with changes in nursing education. What has worked well for me is maintaining open communication, being willing to learn from peers, and building relationships that are mutually supportive and focused on improving both student outcomes and the future of the nursing profession.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mysunlight.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunlighthealthcare_academy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18CDEDJHgX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SunlightHCAcad
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunlighthealthcareacadem?_r=1&_t=ZT-94SzOL1yJVm
