Hello, my name is Xavier Bryant Jr. and I am an ADN alumni at ANHO. I started at ANHO at the age of 18 years old and from start to finish all the staff and faculty were very supportive and always there to help me whenever I needed. I especially want to thank Mr. Parker, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. P. and Mrs. Gilzine for going above and beyond to make sure all of their students succeed not only in the classroom, but also in our jobs when we became RN’s. I am now a surgical ICU nurse and I will be finishing my last 4 classes for my BSN by December 2023. I hope to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. One of the most important things I found to be helpful in my success at ANHO was becoming friends with my peers. It is important for social and emotional development, as it can provide support, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for collaboration and learning. Friendships also help improve communication skills and build a network that can be beneficial in various aspects of life. Nursing school may seem hard now, but I promise it will all be worth it in the end. 

From my first day in orientation at ANHO, I realized I was out for a “ride”.  This ride was going to be different from any other rides I had taken.  The journey was turbulent, but I quickly realized that I was in the hands of very experienced drivers.  These drivers were in the form of teachers.  They navigated us through turbulent waters.  I found them to be very dedicated, devoted and knowledgeable.  They encouraged us to cross over to the other side of the river.  With their guided help, the majority of PN63 were able to pass their NCLEX on the first attempt.  I am forever grateful for the high standards ANHO represents.

My greatest challenge was that I could not work a full time job and go to school full time.  I had just started a new job and decided to quit to be successful.  ANHO helped me by employing loving, caring, knowledgeable teachers like Ms. Mack, Ms. K., Ms. Ann Miller, Ms. B. and Ms. Judi Miller.  They did everything necessary to help PN63 to be successful on their first attempt at the NCLEX.

Tips for success in your nursing career: be humble and be a team player.

ANHO immersed me in an unmatched nursing curriculum that provided me the foundational knowledge which well-equipped me for tests and the NCLEX. The faculty at ANHO cultivated an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere that bolstered my learning in times of adversity. For example, the professors would hold extra help sessions after class ended and gave me the individualized attention that I needed to help me succeed in my courses. Having faced the challenges of nursing school, a tip that I always recommend to each student is having a balanced lifestyle. While school is important, so is your personal life and finding a balance between the two is paramount to facing the rigorous pace of nursing school. Thanks to ANHO and their amazing faculty and educational community, they have developed me into a well-rounded health care provider who is dedicated to providing exceptional service and patient-centered care. After graduation, I was able to secure my dream job working in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

I felt very apprehensive about becoming a Nurse initially. I wasn’t sure if it was something I really wanted to do or just something to do. And being a single working mother of 2 made things a lot more challenging. Often times during the course of the program, I questioned if I was even good enough to be a Nurse. I struggled especially with pharmacology and Med-Surge and thought for sure I would not succeed. But with the assistance of ATI, Saunders practice test and the teacher’s willingness to take their time to explain complex material, my grades and my comprehension began to improve. ANHO offers many opportunities to help you succeed and with encouragement from family and AHNO staff, I found the courage to persevere. I am truly elated in starting this new chapter as a Nurse.