Striving to create a positive impact in the health field
Brianna Anthony loves to help people just as much as she loves her home state of Louisiana. The spirit of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and her family’s kinship influenced her decision to attend UL Lafayette.
“I have the opportunity to achieve my dreams and strive for greatness with my family still in close proximity. I also fell in love with the welcoming atmosphere on campus and the feeling of home right under my feet.”
Her passion for healing others led her to choose her major.
“I chose nursing because of my love for helping others. I truly enjoy caring for my patients and ensuring they receive the best care possible. Growing up, I always had a love for the human body and the dynamic science behind it, so when I entered nursing school, I just engulfed myself in the mere experience of it,” she said.
Brianna’s favorite nursing courses are Anatomy and Physiology taught by Dr. Waltz, MedSurg taught by Mrs. Keaty, and Pharmacology taught by Dr. Blankenship.
"I had Mrs. Keaty as my clinical instructor for MedSurg, where I was able to practice a lot of my clinical skills. During MedSurg I was able to learn about all the disease processes and how they affected the human body as a whole."
When asked about UL Lafayette’s nursing program, she said, “My favorite part about the UL Lafayette nursing program is how challenging it is. This program has challenged me since my first day of college, but I have never been more confident in my nursing career. I know after my graduation I will be a great nurse with a great didactic and clinical knowledge base.”
She believes the nursing program has helped strengthen her communication, leadership, and professional skills.
Leadership in Student Organizations
Brianna is a member of the Black Women Leadership Association, UL Student Nurses Association, and Black Student Union.
“I am involved in the UL Student Nurses Association, where we are provided professional nursing information, networking opportunities and community service opportunities. I am a member of the Black Women Leadership Association where we focus on empowering Black women and helping them grow academically, professionally, while being an active member in the community.”
During Fall 2022, she was the Vice President of BSU (Black Student Union) and followed the next semester as President.
“In my roles as Vice President and President, I have planned and facilitated events for my fellow peers allowing me to build a rapport and advocate for the student body in beneficial ways. I have been able to use my communication skills to build connections with the students and network with [University] officials that will continue to make BSU thrive and grow throughout the years even after my graduation.”
She continued reflecting on her time as a BSU member.
“One of my favorite memories is the BSU Cookout. The Cookout is an opportunity for all the students to come together and share the same cultural experience. There is great food, music and timeless moments of enjoyment. I truly love the cookout because everyone comes together to relax before finals and have a good time to decompress,” she said.
A bright future ahead for Brianna Anthony
Brianna’s plans for her future will keep Louisiana in mind.
“I plan to work as a Registered Nurse here in the Acadiana area, where I plan to use my knowledge in nursing to care for the patient population in this region. During my career, I plan to continue learning the craft of nursing and continue to build my skills and knowledge so that I will be able to provide the best care to my future patients,” she said.
She is currently working on creating an impactful project that will help a nearby parish community.
“I am working on starting a mentor program for the youth in Saint Martin Parish schools. One of my dreams is to become the person I wish I had growing up and to continue to help the youth of today. So, my plan is for the program to help students find the resources and mentors to accomplish any future goals they set out for themselves, whether it be financially and/or academically,” she said.
Wherever Brianna goes, she knows that she has the unconditional support of her family on and off campus.
“One thing I would like to share is that my experience at UL Lafayette has been a time of my life where I have made life-lasting bonds that I am forever grateful for. Throughout my collegiate career I have experienced a lot of life changes, but I couldn’t have done it without family, friends, and mentors.
