Kent State Geauga Alum Excels in Nursing Field

What do you do when you have a degree and are working – but still have hopes to take that next step in your career? For some, regional campuses provide that perfect blend of availability, flexibility and expertise needed to help you take that next step. For local alumnus, Mike Braun, ’13, Kent State University at Geauga gave him the opportunity and support to further his career dreams of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) while working full time.

“I decided to pursue nursing as a second career in order to provide more direct help to others, provide a better financial future for myself and my family and job security,” says Mr. Braun. Mr. Braun graduated from Marietta College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology before deciding on a career change from research to nursing. “I attended Kent State for my second degree and was able to continue to work full time while receiving my education on a full-time basis,” says Mr. Braun.

Kent State at Geauga was close to Mr. Braun’s home and allowed him to work full time at the Cleveland Clinic in the Biomedical Engineering Department as a research technologist as well as attend classes easily. Mr. Braun credits his mother and sister for helping him find his passion to pursue nursing and earn his degree. “I used their advice and went back for my second career and received my BSN from Kent State at Geauga,” Mr. Braun says.

Kent State provided Mr. Braun with an opportunity to continue life-long learning and helped prepare him to become a CRNA. In 2013, Mr. Braun graduated from Kent State at Geauga Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Since 2014, Mr. Braun has been working in the surgical intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus as a registered nurse (RN). Mr. Braun succeeds in his unit as head preceptor in which he plans, assesses and manages the care of critically ill, post-operative patients. He also holds advanced certifications in critical care.

Mr. Braun will continue his education at Michigan State University's College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice program for Nurse Anesthesia in May 2019. On top of all of Mr. Braun’s hard work and education, he recently found time to travel. He traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, Yellowstone, Switzerland, and Italy where he got married.

As for the rest of his future, Mr. Braun believes that he has retained the necessary skills and education from Kent State at Geauga to continue to succeed. “My time at Kent State at Geauga gave me a great foundation to begin my nursing career,” Mr. Braun says. “The professors and clinical staff at Kent State prepared me for many of the daily challenges that I face in my nursing career.”

For more information on the Geauga nursing program, visit https://www.kent.edu/geauga/bachelor-science-nursing.

POSTED: Monday, October 29, 2018 11:06 AM
UPDATED: Thursday, March 28, 2024 06:42 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Samantha Abraham and Lexi Marco

Gifted educators are those rare individuals who overflow with an unquenchable passion to share their expertise with students by immersing them in real-world experiences.

For economics assistant professor Luda Leontieva, Ph.D., that meant designing and implementing a comprehensive study abroad program for both undergraduates and graduate-level economics students focusing on business as a force for good. It fulfills her mission as an economist and educator: To help students develop a global mindset through long-term thinking in a short-term world.

Kent State University’s Regional Campuses are hosting a series of information sessions designed to help Eastern Gateway Community College students navigate the transfer process and continue their education pathways.

Admissions and student service teams are proactively working to help maximize the transferability of credits and providing personalized support for current EGCC students.   

The Ohio Department of Education recently awarded Kent State University $1.2 million to support Choose Ohio First scholarships. This funding will support learners pursuing associate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and expand options for students seeking two-year degrees at the University's Regional Campuses and its College of Applied and Technical Studies.