Typically, when mothers attend their children’s graduation, they sit behind the students. But Brianna Miller’s mom, Andria, had a better seat—because she was graduating, as well.
The mother of seven children, Andria shares her love for health care with Brianna and her twin, Alyssa, who graduated from the College in December 2013. However, Andria’s journey to a health care career took many more turns than her daughters’.
Andria attended college right out of high school and worked in the accounting field until she had her first three daughters. Once her oldest girls had started preschool, Andria returned to college, earning an associate degree in biology. Andria’s husband was transferred overseas with the Navy before she was able to begin nursing school.
After returning to the United States, she planned to start nursing school but decided to devote her time to her family after adopting her youngest children.
During Alyssa and Brianna’s college visits, Andria really liked the College and the Christian atmosphere.
“After Alyssa enrolled, I began thinking about fulfilling my dreams of becoming a nurse,” said Andria.
Andria’s youngest daughter, Mackenzie, was in middle school, and Andria knew by the time her daughter completed high school, she would be in the last few stages of clinicals.
“It seemed like a good transition into the next phase of my life,” said Andria.
Brianna said she enjoyed having the opportunity to be in school with her mom. They worked well together and encouraged each other daily.
Being in school together allowed Andria and Brianna to push each other to keep going when times were hard and they both wanted to give up.
“My mom was always there to encourage me,” said Brianna. “She prayed with me before every test and always took extra time to help me understand things.”
Brianna made a lot of memories with her mother while they experienced nursing school together, but one of her favorites was their tradition of treating themselves to Chick-Fil-A after the first day of every clinical rotation.
Now that both mother and daughter have graduated, they both plan to seek a position in a hospital.
Andria encourages others to pursue their dreams because it is never too late. She enjoyed the time she and Brianna had together. They leaned on each other’s strengths and supported each other during their weaknesses. In the end, it made them both stronger.
“Brianna is not only my daughter, she is my friend” said Andria.
Baptist Health Sciences University provides quality education in a Christian atmosphere to prepare health care professionals for diverse practice environments. Building on an educational legacy with Baptist Memorial Health Care that began in 1912, Baptist University offers nine bachelor’s degree programs: biomedical sciences, diagnostic medical sonography, health care management, medical laboratory sciences, medical radiography, nuclear medicine technology, nursing, radiation therapy and respiratory care. For more information about Baptist University, please visit www.bchs.edu or call 1-866-575-BCHS (2247).