Nursing Student Serves Country and Patients
A love of caring for others brought Ana Brunal to Jefferson.
College of Nursing student Ana Brunal (left) chose Jefferson because of its military-friendly assistance. She's pictured here with Staff Sgt. Amber Gonzalez.
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.”
Jefferson student Ana Brunal (center)—pictured with Staff Sgts. Akia Harris and Chelcie Grosso—says her military experience will prepare her for a career in nursing
Through a Jefferson academic adviser and College of Nursing Dean Dr. Marie Ann Marino, a veteran herself, Brunal heard about the Service Scholars Program. The IBX Foundation initiative helps veterans reintegrate into civilian life and provides non-tuition aid, scholarships and mentoring support to students attending Nurses for Tomorrow schools with a Yellow Ribbon Program, such as Jefferson.
“Being in the Reserve means, essentially, I’m a part-time soldier, full-time civilian,” Brunal says. “However, sometimes you’re thrown into deployments, and then you’re in the role of a full-time soldier. When you transition back into civilian life, it isn’t always the smoothest.”
She says the program “took some weight off my shoulders” to pursue a nursing career.
“The Service Scholar’s Program at Jefferson’s College of Nursing, in partnership with the IBX Foundation, embodies our shared commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in nursing for those who have served our country,” Dr. Marino says.
“Military Makeover: Operation Career” recently featured Ana Brunal, Dr. Marie Ann Marino and the Service Scholars Program. Watch the segment below.
