Bridget Ladner’s Story with American National University
For Bridget Ladner, pursuing an education has always been a matter of finding a way forward, even when life seemed determined to get in the way. More than 20 years ago, she began working toward a nursing education after having worked as a CNA. However, having a newborn and then experiencing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina led her to put those plans on hold. In the years that followed, family responsibilities and other unexpected challenges continued to make returning to school difficult. Still, her desire to build a career helping others never went away. After caring for family members renewed that sense of purpose, Bridget decided it was time to give her education another chance. Now, as an Administrative Medical Assisting associate degree student at American National University, she is proving that even a winding path can lead exactly where you are meant to go. During Term 262, Bridget faced another series of unexpected challenges, including a devastating flood that destroyed her family’s camper and vehicle while her and her husband were working in Hawaii. Through it all, she continued moving forward with her education—and that determination earned her recognition as a Term Trailblazer for term 262.
When it came to earning her education, Bridget knew she needed a flexible program that she could attend from anywhere she is. As she travels often with her husband, she joined American National University’s program over others because the classes fit her schedule that isn’t always set in stone. “I wanted to be able to do it all online. If I needed to do an externship, that would be fine, because it would be for x amount of time, and not the whole time,” she explained. “I looked online, and there were two choices… [American National University] had everything I wanted, plus their colors!” She said with a laugh. “I know that may sound silly, but that really was the distinguishing factor because that’s my colors!”
Bridget’s future career in the medical field has been one she has waited for since before she had her children. Even still, she finds she is learning new scopes that better her understanding while she attends American National University. One of those skills is the most important: communication. “Communication is key – and how you communicate,” she explained. Additionally, she has deepened her knowledge on the administrative side when she initially thought she’d only be on the clinical side of things. This includes, “dealing with your patients, the administrative side of it as far as the requirements there,” she said.
“What I’m doing now is what I’m going to do then.”
Professors shape the way students learn, and Bridget has found many professors in her tenure so far that have made the experience more than she expected. This includes Dr. Stephanie Denton, “she was great!” Additionally, Abby Chelstowski made such an impact on her, “love her to pieces, she was great!” Someone who truly stands out to her is Kimberly Amole, her externship coordinator, because of how she has aided Bridget in securing an externship even with her travel schedule and the disaster of the flooding her family has dealt with. “The externship – all of that – was a mess. And it wasn’t her fault! And it really wasn’t my fault because of the transportation with the flood,” she explained. “She worked really hard to see what could happen.” Overall, though, “I’ve had nothing but good things to say about all of my instructors! I really have had some good instructors… They’re engaged, they’re really, really engaged.”
Earning her education online has been “pure freedom!” As she travels with her husband when he goes onto work trips, Bridget needed to be able to attend class from wherever she could connect her computer.
“Yes, you have the assignments that are due by a certain date, and yes you have assigned times for Zooms, but you know in advance. It’s just convenient. It’s very, very convenient!”
Her future goals include working in the field for a bit. However, with a daughter who is earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she wants to one day open an IV infusion clinic and spa to work alongside her daughter.
Would she recommend American National University to other students? “Absolutely! I definitely would.”
Her advice to new students would include “do not give up! Try, try, try again – if that’s what it takes!” Perseverance is the sailing point to Bridget’s story, and she has gotten up each time life has tried to knock her down. “Stay focused, push on,” she explained.
