Aspiring nurses and healthcare aficionados, mark your calendars for the Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Health Science Open House on February 24, a chance to dive into the world of medical careers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastview Campus. Students like Gabby Brown, who is set to earn her nursing stripes come December 2024, will be on hand to walk you through what a degree in health sciences from ACC can offer, according to ACC.

Brown, who aims to join the ranks of nurses at Dell Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit post-graduation, plans to not only serve the most vulnerable but also continue her education, going back to ACC for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As told in an interview, she was drawn to health sciences, watching her aunt who’s been a Licensed Vocational Nurse for over three decades, give care and comfort to patients; Gabby saw a path she was destined to follow and found her passion in wanting to ease patient suffering in their darkest hours.

ACC’s nursing program comes highly recommended by health professionals across the community; it's praised for its integrity, practical clinical experience and a strong academic foundation laid by dedicated educators. Brown testified to these factors as pivotal in her decision to enroll, as she got wind of the program's laudable reputation from nurses she encountered who had been part of it, as per Austin Community College.

It has been nothing short of a marathon for Brown, balancing extensive coursework and rigorous clinical hours but ask her and she’ll tell you it's been worth every moment, with every class offering a new opportunity to understand the human body’s complexities and ailments. Brown shared that her favorite part was getting to apply learned skills directly to patient care; she says it instills confidence both in her abilities as a nurse and in the minds of the patients trusting her with their health.

For those contemplating a plunge into health science studies, Brown wants you to know the ACC nursing program sets itself apart with ample patient interaction, providing a nurturing space for skill application and learning that can alleviate the nerves of applying theoretical knowledge in a clinical context. She expressed gratitude for ACC’s substantial support system, emphasizing the program's commitment to student success.