Next step: Nurse, Acute Trauma Surgical Unit, The Ohio State University Hospital
First shift: Brenton landed a nursing position in the acute trauma surgical unit at The Ohio State University Hospital. He also got accepted into Ohio State’s nurse practitioner program. “I’ll always be thankful for ONU’s nursing faculty. I had high aspirations entering nursing school, and they helped me attain them.”
Sports and shoulders: A sports enthusiast, Brenton played several sports growing up before focusing solely on soccer in high school. Unfortunately, he tore the labrum in both shoulders his senior year playing goalie. As he embarked on his first year at ONU, he underwent two surgeries and physical therapy.
Clear plan: His medical journey cemented his decision to become a nurse. He aspires to become an orthopedic nurse practitioner treating patients with muscular skeletal injuries. “Nursing offers so many opportunities to spread your wings and try different areas of focus. I just love helping people.”
Pursuing his passion: Once he healed from his surgeries, Brenton dove into intramural sports at ONU, playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Volleyball became a favorite. He now participates in beach volleyball tournaments in the summers, and he’ll always have fond memories of ONU’s intense mud volleyball tournaments. “Athletics have shaped who I am.”
Mission possible: A medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic with professors and classmates last summer expanded Brenton’s worldview. Profoundly moved by the experience of treating the underserved, he became president of Northern Nurses Without Borders his senior year. “The mission trip opened my eyes to the world outside the United States. It made me realize how much I take for granted every single day. Being able to provide much-needed care to the people of the Dominican Republic motivated me to not only become a better student nurse, but a better person.”