Arianna Jones (M.S.N. '19)
For Arianna Jones (M.S.N. ’19), being a nurse has been a nearly lifelong dream. Graduating from Georgia State University in 2019 with a Master of Science in Nursing, she has been working at Grady Memorial Hospital as a family nurse practitioner since 2021. Here, she shares with us how Georgia State helped her grow.
Interview by Paige White
Why did you choose Georgia State for your master’s program?
I actually wanted to go to Georgia State for my undergraduate degree, but my mom didn’t want me to leave Albany, Ga., so I decided to stay home.
I attended Darton College (now Albany State University) for my associate degree in nursing. I attended Columbus State for my bachelor’s in nursing. I took a few years off to work in the field and decided to go back to school in 2016. Since I always wanted to attend Georgia State, I thought, why not for my master’s? And plus, Georgia State has a great graduate program for nurse practitioners.
What was your experience at GSU?
My experience may be different than some. I was already working part time as a registered nurse and I had clinicals for the grad program. Some programs have degrees online, but Georgia State is one of a kind. I had the opportunity to go to class and not only connect with my classmates and professors, but I also had fewer distractions, which was beneficial to me.
In a way, I did get another college experience. I was able to use the library to study for not only my classes but my boards and certifications. I was able to sit for the family nurse practitioner board and passed my first try!
Who inspired you to be a nurse?
My aunts and the nurses who helped me. I was born with a heart condition, so going to the doctors, and the nurses being the first people I saw, made me feel comfortable and relaxed.
The first time I can remember wanting to become a nurse, I was either 5 or 6. I had a bed that was high off the ground and required stairs. I fell down them one day and had a major laceration on my chin. I went to the hospital and I remember the nurse trying to calm me down while I was getting stitches. When the physician finished stitching me up, she gave me a dollar and, even though I was like 5 or 6, that memory has always stuck in my head.
