Brittany Horner

Hometown:

Warwick, Rhode Island

What I was doing before RWU: 

Before starting at RWU, I was a bedside nurse experiencing burn out on a neurosurgical unit. I had lost my passion for service at the patient level, and I knew I needed to change up my career path soon. I had no direction in which I was going, but I knew I did not want to pursue an advanced practitioner degree for fear of being in the same boat I was in: burnt out and with little passion for the work. While researching different paths I could take, I found "Public Administration."  As I researched this path, I found that it held everything I originally loved about nursing: education, public health, and policy. 

My future plans:

This program has brought me career advancements, even before finishing the degree. During my year in the program, I had applied to a physician practice and was hired to assist in clinical resourcing for clinical staff. After one year, I was promoted to Clinical Manager for the practice, managing the medical assistants, continuing to educate and to be a resource for them. All of these opportunities have surfaced, and I haven't even finished the degree yet. This degree has helped change the way I think, and I believe that it has shown in my career as I develop the skills in healthcare administration and leadership.

My favorite parts of my student experience at RWU: 

I really appreciate the flexibility the hybrid style classes offer for students. While I was working the night shift, it was easy to work my schedule around class. I have now moved into a 9-5 job, but stressing about my school schedule continues to not be an issue thanks to the hybrid schedule. It is manageable to work full time while taking these courses. 

I also have found it interesting to observe how my knowledge has expanded over my short time in this program. My way of thinking has completely changed and I am able to step back, and think outside the box for a solution to complex problems in and outside of school. I have already utilized my knowledge from this program as I develop my skills in leadership, and it has been helpful to take what I learn in class and online and physically practice it day in and day out on the job. 

Best advice for students planning to go to graduate school: 

My advice for students planning to go to graduate school is to research the opportunities each degree can bring you. I was unsure of where I was going or what I wanted to do, but I found the spark to my passion while researching my options. Through research, I have re-established my passion for healthcare and it drives me through each project, each discussion post, and even through my capstone. The MPA program will bring me (and already has brought) multiple opportunities for the future. I felt stuck with a degree so specific to nursing, but this degree brings a broad range of knowledge, and can be utilized in many different aspects of public health. 

Favorite things to do in the area: 

I have lived in Rhode Island for 18 years, and some of my favorite things to do is visit all of the beautiful landscapes offered here. Some of my favorites include the Cliff Walk, Purgatory Chasm, Beavertail, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, and Rome Point to name a few.