BGSU nursing graduate to serve as U.S. Air Force nurse

For Anna Harrison, BGSU provided the training and hands-on experience she wanted from a nursing program

By Branden Ferguson

At 19, Anna Harrison enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent a combined eight years stationed in Japan and Italy. Throughout her service, she remained focused on her lifelong goal of becoming a nurse.

To achieve that, Harrison enrolled in the Air Force Nursing Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP), which allows her to remain on active duty while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This journey took her to Bowling Green State University, near her hometown of Bedford, Michigan.

“My passion for nursing has always been inside me,” Harrison said. “As the oldest of six girls, I've always enjoyed nurturing and helping others be their best. I love nursing and feel fulfilled working with patients.”

Seeking a program with the right culture and hands-on rigor required for a future military officer, Harrison chose the BGSU School of Nursing, one of the largest nursing programs in northwestern Ohio. The program recently achieved its first-ever 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), placing it among the top programs in Ohio.

“A huge goal of mine coming into college was that I would feel ready to go once I graduated,” Harrison said. “The clinicals and hands-on experiences I received in the simulation labs at BGSU have prepared me to move on in my nursing journey.”

Harrison’s transition from the classroom to the lab allowed her to apply complex skills in real-world scenarios, a critical component for her future role in the Air Force Nurse Corps, where she'll care for service members and their families.

“After learning skills in the lab, I was able to take that directly into the simulation labs and practice what I learned,” she said. “It was a nice segue to get an introduction in the lab, a simulated session that helped build my confidence and then take all of that into the clinical setting.

“My experience at BGSU has prepared me not only for my career academically but also my confidence and my ability to communicate with other nurses, providers and patients."

As a non-traditional student, Harrison described nursing school as a marathon, not a sprint. She credits faculty, resources and one-on-one training for preparing her to lead in a military medical environment.

“If I had to do it all over again, I would 100% choose BGSU again,” Harrison said. “Nursing school is very challenging, but I think when you have a supportive team, an amazing program and professors to help you along the way, it makes that experience 10 times better.”

Harrison is preparing for the national licensure exam to become a licensed nurse. Once she passes, she will serve as a commissioned officer in the Air Force Nurse Corps, drawing on the clinical experience, discipline and confidence gained at BGSU. She will be stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska.