Commitment to improving lives drives nursing grad to Quadruple Jag status

Earning an academic degree is a significant accomplishment, but for some graduates, it’s simply the beginning.

At Augusta University, those who return for multiple degrees often have unique motivations. Earning the title of Quadruple Jag – reserved for graduates who receive four degrees from AU – speaks to something deeper: a relentless pursuit of excellence and a desire to create more opportunities for themselves, their families and the communities they serve.

Tyra Newton embodies that spirit as she is graduating from the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in AU’s College of Nursing and The Graduate School, marking her fourth degree from the university and earning her the esteemed Quadruple Jag status. For Newton, ambition is more than personal achievement; it’s a commitment to improving lives. Her drive is fueled by a passion for advancing health outcomes and making a meaningful difference for the patients she serves.

“With nursing, the further you get into it, the more you learn – and the more you want to learn. I wanted to be the best at whatever I did,” Newton shared.

Newton’s journey in nursing began in AU’s Master of Science in Nursing program with a Clinical Nurse Leader concentration, where she earned her first nursing degree. After many years as a medical technologist, she wanted to expand what she could offer patients.

“I wanted to take what I saw in the lab and apply it to patient care,” she said. “When the CNL program came to life, I thought, ‘This is a great opportunity to bring my clinical knowledge from the lab to the bedside through nursing.'”

She credits her experience in the CNL program as a major factor in her decision to return to AU for three additional degrees. While she knew she wanted to advance her nursing career, she wasn’t sure what that path would look like. Her ambition to become a health care provider was sparked during a clinical rotation at a local health center, where she worked with a nurse practitioner who inspired her to take her journey to the next step.

“I knew I wanted to go further in nursing. I didn’t imagine a terminal degree like the DNP at the time, but I knew I wanted to do more,” she said. “Because I saw her treating patients as a nurse practitioner, I knew that this was possible for me, too. She encouraged me to explore becoming a provider.”

That mentorship, along with the care, support and knowledge base she received during her first program, laid the foundation for returning to AU to earn her Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner in 2013, a post-master’s certification in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in 2024 and now her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2025.

As a nurse practitioner, Newton works collaboratively with physicians to diagnose, treat and manage medical conditions. Her educational pursuits are fueled by a deep sense of responsibility to her patients and to be the best provider in any specialty she chooses. With a goal of expanding her knowledge and skill set to deliver the highest quality care and achieve the best possible clinical outcomes, she ultimately decided to pursue her DNP.

“It really wasn’t a question of where I would go for my terminal degree after starting here and meeting the faculty and staff,” she said. “Many of them have been part of my entire nursing journey, which is just wonderful. They’ll even be there for my hooding, including Pamela Cromer, DNP, and Cynthia Mundy, DNP. My DNP project lead, Priscilla Hartley, DNP, has been phenomenal, and I cannot put into words how much she has meant to me, especially in this last semester. I’ve been going through some medical issues of my own, and she has been both a listening ear and an encourager. She’s told me countless times, ‘We are going to get to the finish line,’ and we are. We’re getting to the finish line.”

When asked about her specialty choice, Newton’s answer was clear.

“Oncology chose me. I can’t see myself practicing in any other area right now, and it all goes back to the knowledge and teaching I received from AU,” she said. “With oncology, you’re continually learning. That’s the great thing about cancer research – there’s always something new, and that progress helps improve patient outcomes.”

She credits her Wellstar Hematology and Oncology team for teaching her the clinical skills needed to be a good provider. She specifically acknowledges her director, Anand Jillella, MD, and mentor, Asha Nayak, MD.

“They helped me through that journey and made it clear that growth and learning never stop in oncology,” Newton said.

While continuous learning and diagnostic expertise are critical, Newton believes compassion is the most important quality for a provider.

“We meet people at the worst point in their lives in hematology and oncology,” she said. “You have to have patience and understanding, and you have to give compassionate care. Yes, patients care about the knowledge you have of their diagnosis, side effects and chemotherapy, but they also want to know your heart. They need compassion, and that means so much more because anybody can just read information from a book.”

Newton’s compassion is evident not only in her words but in her actions and values centered on improving the lives of others. Her dedication to completing her DNP is a testament to that commitment. While there were moments of doubt along the way, she credits her faith and support system for helping her persevere.

“I have had my doubts, and we all will, but it’s how you cope and the support you have around you that matters,” she said. “We’re not islands, and I don’t believe we were created to be islands. We’re here to have the support of others. It’s about leaning on that support to get through those tough times.”

In addition to professors who gave her space to talk through challenges, Newton acknowledges her husband, Michael, as both her cheerleader and teammate in managing day-to-day tasks.

“He could just look at me when I came home and say, ‘I got it. I’ll take care of everything,’” she said.

With a son now in his senior year of college, balancing parenting and academic demands was no small feat, but with her husband’s support, she made it happen.

Newton’s advice to anyone considering the DNP program is simple: give yourself time and enjoy the journey.

“It’s not just about matriculating. It’s the people you meet, the clinicals you experience, the classes you take and the knowledge you gain. Those are the pearls you collect along the way,” she said. “These aren’t just classes where you check a box. Ask yourself, ‘What are you learning?’ Because everything you learn, you’ll take to the bedside or to the office. So, enjoy the journey. Breathe. Give yourself some grace.”

What’s next for the soon-to-be Dr. Newton?

“I’d love to run a marathon!” she shared. “I love marathons. I’ve had some issues with my knee, and I’m currently going through a medical challenge, but that’s going to be taken care of soon. As soon as I get past all this, I’m getting back to running. Right now, I’m doing about five or six miles, but I want to run a full marathon before I turn 60. I’m 56 now, so I have four years. That’s my goal.”

One thing about Newton is that when she sets a goal, she achieves it. There’s no doubt this Quadruple Jag’s pursuit of excellence and compassionate care will follow her wherever she goes, creating a ripple effect in the lives of her family, her patients, the communities she serves and everyone who knows her story.