Graduate Spotlight - Brittney Ryan
Brittney Ryan
Medical Assistant, December 2016
“…clinicals…that’s where I got to know real patients, take vitals, order labs, and work with different mentors—it’s where I realized I’m prepared.”
When Brittney Ryan enrolled at Mid-State straight out of high school, she was sure about two things: she wanted to work in healthcare, and she wasn’t interested in a four-year college. “I wanted to avoid the debt I’d have after graduating from a university, and I knew I wouldn’t need four years of school to get started in my career.” There was another reason, too. Being “very shy,” Brittney knew she’d feel more comfortable at a smaller campus.
Brittney’s experience at Mid-State has lived up to expectations. She will graduate debt free and has enjoyed the small-school atmosphere. Mid-State also helped Brittney find her path. “I started in the Emergency Medical Technician program, but it turned out to be a little too fast-paced for me,” she explains. “I also realized that part of what was drawing me to the healthcare field was a desire to get to know my patients, and Medical Assistant turned out to be the perfect fit.”
Through hard work and persistence, Brittney has excelled in the Medical Assistant program, even becoming a tutor to other students in the program. “I found myself working in groups with other students—which really helped me learn better—and that grew into tutoring students one-on-one,” she says. “I never thought I’d come out of my shell enough to tutor others.”
When asked what she values most about her time at Mid-State, Brittney hesitates. “That’s a close call between my instructors and clinicals.” She explains, “My instructors knew that I could succeed and do well, and if they saw that I was struggling in the classroom, they would take time to explain or show a different way—but clinicals,” she adds, “that’s where I got to know real patients, take vitals, order labs, and work with different mentors—it’s where I realized I’m prepared.”
Brittney is looking forward to taking the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam and is already looking further into the future. Phlebotomy Technician is just one more semester and will add to her skill set. “Then, who knows,” she says, “I’m thinking I may want to become a nurse someday, maybe even a doctor.”
