Brenner Clark

Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates a well-prepared class of nursing students every year. In May 2023, Brenner Clark plans to be one of these graduates and start his career of caring for others.

An Amorita, Okla. native, Clark was accepted into the nursing program at Northwestern earlier this year.

“I realized when I was young that I had a passion for caring for other people, ” Clark said.

“I’ve overcome a lot of health problems in my life, and that is part of why I chose nursing. I was inspired by the people to helped me to get better. I couldn’t think of a better thing to do. "

Clark said he chose to attend Northwestern because of its close proximity to home and its affordability.

“I received many scholarship opportunities by choosing to come to Northwestern, ” Clark said. “We

have a great nursing program here, and it felt right to continue my education close to home. ”

Clark is a member of the Student Nurses Association (SNA), a student-led organization that focuses on community service, nursing health and education.

“SNA tries to prepare us as students for when we graduate with our bachelor of science degree in nursing, and eventually get our registered nurse licensure, ” Clark said. “If we need to have a fundraiser, we can go through SNA to sponsor it. We can use it to pay for any equipment we need. ”

Clark has built many relationships during his time at Northwestern. These are relationships he hopes to draw on in the future.

“The people I’ve met at Northwestern have impacted me greatly, ” Clark said.

“I’ve become friends with people I never thought I’d get to know. I have built some professional relationships, as well. I know I can count on many of them to be there if I need help. Once I’m in my career, I can call on them for advice or letters of reference. ”

Once he graduates with his bachelor of science degree in nursing, Clark hopes to become an emergency room nurse in the Enid, Okla., area. He then plans to work his way up to the intensive care unit before continuing his education to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

“A CRNA essentially does the same job as an anesthesiologist, ” Clark said.

“I’ve always found that area of the field interesting. I’ve shadowed some CRNAs before and it seems like something I would want to do. Being an ER nurse and an ICU nurse are requirements before I can get into school to become a CRNA. ”

Working in such high-stress environment doesn’t deter Clark from his career path.

“I feel I will be more than prepared for any situation because of the nursing program at Northwestern, ” Clark said.