We sat down with sisters, Kylie Flemens, BSN ‘24, RN and Kyra Nichols, BSN ‘24, RN, who are both enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track to discuss their experiences throughout their nursing journeys.
For younger sister Kyra Nichols, the path to nursing did not begin with a clear calling.
It started with a conversation.
Her older sister, Kylie Flemens, encouraged her to explore nursing during the uncertainty of 2020.
At the time, Kyra was working in tech recruiting. Nursing had always been part of their lives—their mother is a nurse—but it had not been the direction either initially pursued. “I never really thought of nursing as a career path until, later in life… I had my sister come up to me and say, ‘you know what, we should do nursing together’.”
For Kylie, the interest in health care had been there much longer. “I knew I always wanted to go into the medical field… [our] mom is a nurse… [and] hearing about patients mom interacted with made me interested in the field.”
A Shared Path
Though often mistaken for twins, the sisters are two and a half years apart.
Kyra shared, “everyone thinks we’re twins, we look a lot alike, we sound pretty much the exact same.” Even their professors get them confused sometimes.
Their closeness has shaped nearly every step of their journey.
Kylie proudly stated, “we’ve done all of life’s milestones together.”
Both completed their associate degree in nursing (ADN) before continuing through a concurrent enrollment program to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Washington State University College of Nursing in summer 2024.
From there, continuing into the Doctor of Nursing Practice program felt like a natural next step.
Both sisters began the DNP program in fall 2024 and expect to graduate in spring 2027.
For Kyra, the decision was about flexibility and long-term independence.
“I love bedside nursing, but I knew that I wanted to make a little bit of a different impact… having somebody manage you… wasn’t something that settled right for me… I wanted more financial freedom and eventually we’d like to open our own practice.”
For Kylie, the program needed to fit into an already full life. “The most important thing was not having to uproot my entire family… the flexibility of the DNP program allows balance of school and family… made it realistic and sustainable.”
Both chose the Family Nurse Practitioner track. “I like the wide range of the family nurse practitioner track,” said Kyra.
Kylie agreed, “I liked FNP because [of the] wide range of patient lifespan… [and] continuity of care.”
Built-In Support
Going through the program together has made a demanding path more manageable.
Kyra stated, “It’s been honestly really nice. I don’t know if I would have been able to do it without my sister.”
Kylie sees it the same way. “It has been a major help… I wish everyone had a sibling or close friend going through the program… [it] makes a difference in being able to go as far.”
Their dynamic blends competition with support. “We’re very competitive and having that built-in study partner… it’s been really nice.”
Kyra said, “we push each other… and we coach each other, pushing to get assignments done.”
They also balance each other in how they learn. Kyra said, “my sister’s definitely a better writer… she’s more Type A, I’m more Type B.”
Kylie commented that she likes written and typed notes, emphasizing that she learns more through listening.
Balancing School and Family
Both sisters are raising young children while working through the program.
At the recent DNP White Coat Ceremony, that reality came into focus. Kyra said, “it was really surreal… holding our babies was like, wow, we’re here, and we’re doing this thing.”
For Kylie, the moment carried deeper meaning.
“Having kids there reminded [me] of [my] ‘why’… it wasn’t about earning a degree, [it was] about building a better future for them.”
Their mom sent a text message to them after the ceremony, saying:
We are so proud of you guys. That’s awesome that you both can do school and be mommies and wives. You guys are superheroes!
Daily life requires constant adjustment, though.
Both sisters are married to firefighters, whose 48–72-hour shifts create an unpredictable schedule at home. That reality often shapes when and how schoolwork gets done.
Kyra said, “I try to chip away at my homework during my daughter’s naps… so I can be present at home.”
Kylie added, “It is HARD… [you] feel guilty when having to do assignments or Zoom instead of interacting and playing with [your] children.”
The sisters rely on each other—and their families—to make it work. Kyra and Kylie often bring their families together so their kids can play together while they work on assignments.
Perspective Through Parenthood
Motherhood has reshaped how both approach patient care. Kyra said, “I think I’ve just empathized more… especially with… new moms… I’m like, how’s the mom doing?”
Kylie sees that empathy as central to her role. “Being empathetic is a key quality as a nurse practitioner… you get more out of the patient when you are empathetic.”
Their shared experiences are shaping their future focus.
Challenges and Resilience
But the journey has not been easy.
Kyra said, “I remember I was like, I think I’m gonna quit the program.”
Kylie remembers that moment from the other side.
“I tried to tell her everything gets done; it’s going to be okay.”
Kylie stated, “depending on how hard the postpartum was… [starting] clinicals 4–5 weeks [after a new baby].”
They’ve learned to adapt and keep moving forward.
Both sisters described the process of going through the program as taking it day by day.
Kylie closed by saying, “Anything is possible… as long as you put your mind to it… everything will always work out.”
Looking Ahead
Both sisters share a clear vision for the future.
Kyra affirmed, “My sister and I both want to open a practice together,” stating, “Ideally… we’d be in our own practice taking care of the Wenatchee population.”
Kylie’s vision focuses on deeper solutions to health care by, “focusing on the root cause; and not masking symptoms with medications.”
A Shared Journey
If Kyra had to describe the DNP experience in one sentence:
“It’s like Sour Patch Kids. It’s sweet, a little sour, but it’s good.”
Kylie uses one word to describe the DNP program in terms of growth.
“Rewarding… I’ve seen myself change as a clinician, evolving each semester.”
For both, the journey is about more than earning a degree. It is about building something—together.
ABOUT THE DNP PROGRAM
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Washington State University College of Nursing prepares registered nurses to become advanced practice leaders in health care through a combination of clinical training, evidence-based practice, and systems-level thinking. With flexible program options designed for working professionals, students can pursue specialty tracks as either a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), gaining hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings. The program focuses on real-world impact, preparing graduates to improve patient outcomes, expand access to care, and lead change within their communities.
