Nursing student Ana Brunal fell in love with caring for people as an EMT years ago. She worked with nurses during transports and admired their autonomy, ability to practice in multiple settings and deep connections with patients under their watch.
Brunal, who immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia at age 7, chose Jefferson College of Nursing to study because of its military-friendly assistance. “Using the Veteran Affairs educational benefits can be complicated, and Jefferson has guided me in maximizing the assistance available,” she says.
In the U.S. Army Reserve, Brunal serves as an assistant platoon sergeant, coordinating and executing mortuary affairs, warrior tasks and drivers’ training for her platoon of 25 soldiers. For this role, she trains one weekend a month and two weeks a year but can be recalled more frequently.
“My time in the military gives me insight on how to handle unprecedented scenarios and view situations from different angles,” she says. “This experience helps me handle high-pressure circumstances with a cool head, which will prepare me for my nursing career.”
