Keiser University Melbourne Campus Valedictorian Brittany Keesee, now an ambulatory triage nurse, recently shared that it was a teenage volunteer opportunity that further cast light on how rewarding a healthcare career could be.

“I always knew that I wanted to help others in their time of need,” said Keesee, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate. “I started volunteering in high school in a long-term facility and took the health science courses in high school. While in high school I obtained my Certified Nursing Assistant and started to work in long-term care. I truly enjoyed what I was doing,” said Keesee who graduated from Vero Beach High School in 2014 before becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse and a Registered Nurse.

Keesee shared that she’s thankful to Keiser University’s curriculum for contributing to a strong foundation. “It provided me with insights into different aspects of nursing especially in the areas that I do not currently work. It was a great experience to build upon the knowledge that I have as well as to learn something new throughout the course. For me, the biggest challenge was learning a brand-new position as a new graduate nurse and attending school full-time. I am lucky enough to have a great support system and someone who continued to push me when I was tired or unsure how I would be able to accomplish this goal,” she said.

Keesee stresses the importance of digging deep to identify a profession that resonates from within and then surrounding oneself with a supportive circle of family and friends.

“My biggest recommendation to anyone furthering their education is to follow their hearts and do what is best for them. It takes a village to achieve school as it is a balancing act, so ensure there is a support system and the goal will be reached,” she said.

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (RN to BSN) is a degree completion program for registered nurses.  This program emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, management, research, physical assessment, and health promotion across a variety of community-based healthcare settings.  The curriculum accentuates cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence healthcare delivery through both online classroom and clinical components. The RN to BSN Curriculum is designed to be completed in as few as 12 months.

Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associate to doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 21 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report in 2023-24.