Nikki Robertson earned Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences from 2,500 miles away, but one of her classmates was right by her side. She and New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital co-worker Gaby Garagatti graduated in May 2024.
“We’re very fortunate that our job pays for us to go back to school and get our degrees, so we decided to embark on that journey together,” Robertson said. “I never would have gotten through this program without Gaby. We did all of our classes together.
“It made it so much easier to have someone to bounce ideas off of — especially in that online environment. It was nice having someone go through it with you who understood the process. I had been out of school for so long, so it was intimidating to get back into that environment.”
Robertson, a radiologic technologist who has worked for the same hospital for 10 years in October, said Boise State’s program was especially appealing to her because of the flexibility of the online format and the lack of a clinical requirement.
“I wanted to do more of the sciences route than the healthcare administration route,” she said. “We started during COVID-19, so work was chaotic, but we had been talking about going back to school for a while.
“Boise State’s online program was really great. All of the advisors are super helpful. I loved the Canvas outline. It made it easy to follow.”
Getting the picture
After graduating from high school in Westchester County, less than 40 miles from New York City, Robertson wasn’t sure which career route she would take.
“As my Mom was going for her routine mammograms, she would say how the x-ray techs always seemed like they’re happy,” she said. “I volunteered at a hospital in the radiology department as part of a high school internship.
“I originally thought I was going to go the ultrasound route, but I didn’t like it. Being an x-ray tech appealed to me more. When I went for my associate degree, I went for the x-ray program.”
Robertson graduated from Westchester Community College in 2015. Seven years later, she enrolled in Boise State’s online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences.
She especially enjoyed the Advanced Sectional Anatomy in Imaging Sciences course. Robertson said the information she learned in the program is applicable to her job.
“Going through the x-ray program [associate degree] the first time around is stressful because you’re trying to rush to memorize everything,” she said. “With the bachelor’s degree, you take a deeper dive into science. Plus, you have been working in the field so you better understand the material.”
Robertson also gained perspective and knowledge from her online classmates from across the country during her time at Boise State.
“It was inspiring to be in an online program with other professionals in the radiology field who were pursuing higher education after getting their x-ray license,” she said. “It is hard to go back to school while working full-time.
“It was so great to see that my peers are dedicated to continuing their higher education to keep advancing in an ever-changing field.”
Online pomp and circumstance
Robertson, an only child, was not able to attend commencement in Boise, but she and her family made the most of being home for the occasion.
“I was hoping to go, but my mom, Lynn, had knee surgery before, so we watched it online,” she said. “I put on my cap and gown, and my dad, Ed, handed me my diploma. That made it special. I am the first one in my family to get a college degree. Gaby and I hope to go to Boise to see our campus someday.”
While earning the degree, Robertson made the most of having a strong support system in place, including the faculty and staff at Boise State.
“Becky Clawson, my academic advisor, made my transition into online school stress-free, and always offered her expertise and advice for the upcoming semesters,” she said. “I am also so thankful to my parents, my boyfriend, Besnik, and my friends for the support while going through the program.”
Next year, Robertson plans to learn a different modality — either interventional radiology or MRI — so she can continue learning and evolving.
“What’s nice is that there are so many different routes you can take in imaging sciences,” she said. “If you get bored, you can always branch out into something different.
“In the future, I would love to do clinical instruction or clinical applications, where you can go around to vendors and set up x-ray equipment and help people install it. Whatever phase of your life you are in, there’s something to meet you there.”
Robertson believes that earning an online degree requires focus and dedication. She is glad that she returned to college to enhance her knowledge.
“An online program is very different from in-person,” she said. “It’s great to have a friend go into it with you. It makes you appreciate the field you’re in. If someone is encouraging you to go back and learn more, it’s going to benefit you in the end.”
With nearly a decade of real-world experience under her belt, Robertson is thrilled to have increased her love for and dedication to her career.
“I truly have a deepened appreciation for my profession after going through this program,” she said. “It was inspiring to work with technologists from across the country who are all striving to make meaningful contributions in healthcare. If Boise State does an imaging sciences master’s program, I will probably be back.”
Learn more about imaging science at Boise State
Want to learn more about the online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences? Join us for an online information session or contact a student success coach.