Dr. Sal McKeel has been a nurse for 41 years, and his commitment to lifelong learning has never wavered. “I went to nursing school and then I joined the military,” he said of his early career. “In the eighties, when there were no male nurses hardly, but it’s the best decision I ever made.”
He later completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees online with the University of Texas at Arlington, and returned to UTA for the Doctor of Nursing Practice online program, graduating in 2024.
Dr. McKeel, the Senior Director of Clinical Operations for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, said that serving his country paved the way for advancing his civilian career in nursing.
“I went through these three programs using my GI Bill,” he noted, adding that that the combination of state and federal resources available to him as a Texas veteran was remarkable. With the assistance of his UTA advisors, he was able to make a smooth transition from each degree to the next. “[They] certainly support veterans very well,” he said.
Dr. McKeel also appreciated how accessible his professors were, even at the doctoral level. “You can reach them easily, you can talk to them,” he confirmed. “The faculty for the doctoral program were just fantastic.” He emphasizes the mentoring and perspective DNP professors offered online students, including those with challenges to overcome.
“Often, we try to push things through,” Dr. McKeel said, reflecting on a moment when he struggled to catch up in a doctoral course while dealing with adversity outside of school. He wanted to “dig deep and do it right,” he remembered, but didn’t feel prepared to succeed. After discussing the situation with his professor, she suggested taking things slower, giving himself a break and coming back to the course in a subsequent term.
Dr. McKeel said his professor’s understanding and support in that situation was a revelation. “It was a valuable experience and a valuable learning [opportunity],” he revealed. “Her advice was on point.”
He went on to complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice online program in a little over two years and was promoted to his current role soon after finishing. He now oversees more than 300 healthcare providers, including medical assistants and nurses.
Dr. McKeel was also appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He enjoys helping new generations “elevate the profession” through evidence-based practice, as well as collaboration, empathy and ongoing discovery.
“When people come and talk to me about going back to school, I always encourage them,” he said, highlighting the increased access to education that online learning provides for nurses. “You can work from your own home, from your office, but then you still have ability to reach out to faculty to ask questions.”
“Many people think, you have a full-time [job], you have a family, and you can’t do it. … But it is possible,” he advised, citing his own journey as a UTA online student and the pride he feels as a DNP program graduate.
“Personally, it’s a huge accomplishment to me,” Dr. McKeel acknowledged, excited to keep developing his research and leadership expertise to “put it in practice, for better patient care.”
Achieve Your Career Goals Faster With the UTA Doctor of Nursing Practice Online Program
Continue building your knowledge and confidence as a leader with the online Doctor of Nursing Practice program from the University of Texas at Arlington. This accelerated pathway to top-level roles in nursing will prepare you to advance in a specialized practice area, perform important health research, pursue teaching in higher education or become an effective administrator. Nurses with a doctorate are also in demand for C-Suite positions in hospitals, health systems and corporate governance.
Our online DNP degree program is affordable, flexible and attuned to the unique needs of working nurses, with strong faculty support and courses available 24/7. Earn your degree with the #1 Public College of Nursing in the U.S.* and learn what distinguishes a CCNE-accredited UTA DNP education from other online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.
- UTA is a Carnegie Tier 1 Research University, heralded for its investment in institutional and doctoral research.
- The UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation has been designated a National Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing, with special recognition for advancing the science of nursing education.
- UTA is also a Carnegie Opportunity University with the highest Student Access and Earnings designation, honored for its commitment to student social mobility and graduates’ economic success.
If you are an early or mid-career RN ready to pursue a graduate degree that will help prepare you for doctoral study in nursing, consider a UTA online RN to MSN program or Master of Science in Nursing program. We also offer post-master’s certificate programs in nursing.
Improve patient outcomes and advance evidence-based practice while you develop as an innovative leader who can influence the future of healthcare. Learning online with UTA offers a fast track to achieving your highest career goals in nursing.
Learn more about the University of Texas at Arlington online Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
*Based on the number of enrollments and graduates, American Association of Colleges of Nursing
