For Ariana Kerney, the journey to nursing began long before she stepped foot on campus.
As a competitive gymnast for over a decade, she spent countless hours in medical offices, recovering from injuries and interacting with various health care professionals. But it was the nurses who left a lasting impression on her. Their selflessness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to patient care inspired her to follow in their footsteps.
“Nurses were the direct line to the care I received, and I wanted to be that line for others,” Kerney shared. “What struck me the most was their role as advocates. They go to battle every day for patients who are unable to speak for themselves. That characteristic of nursing resonated deeply with me, and I knew I wanted to be that voice for others.”
Kerney has spent the last four years growing not only as a future nurse but as a person at UT.
While the academic demands of nursing school were challenging, she found strength in her faith, realizing that striving for perfection wasn’t the key to success. Instead, she focused on resilience and doing her best, knowing that her purpose in nursing extended far beyond grades.
“I had to shift my perspective on where I was placing my hope,” shared Kerney. “I couldn’t rely on my grades, my friends, my professors, my family, or even myself to provide lasting fulfillment—ultimately, all these things will fall short. I learned that the only place I can truly place my hope, and trust is in the Lord, because He is the only one who will never fail me.”
One of the most defining moments of her education came during her 144-hour ICU preceptorship. During a shift, she and her team responded to a rapid response in a medical-surgical unit. A patient, who had been alert just minutes earlier, suddenly deteriorated. Amidst the chaos, Kerney watched as a critical care nurse calmly assessed the situation and, most importantly, reassured the patient with kind, comforting words.
“People get this look of fear when they are about to crash, and I remember the nurse holding the patient’s hand, telling them that their family loves them and that we would do everything we could to help,” she recalled. “Those ended up being the last words that patient heard. It was a moment that reinforced my calling to be an ICU nurse—where every second matters, and where compassionate words can bring peace in a person’s final moments.”
Kerney’s experiences at UT extended beyond the classroom and clinical rotations. She found inspiration from faculty member like Susan Hebert and Nan Gaylord, who led a medical trip to Kenya that impacted her perspective on health care.
“They led so well and watching their passion for health care in Kenya and the humility that they showed in serving these people was really beautiful,” Kerney added. “This trip taught me about the power of humility and the importance of approaching health care with empathy and service.”
Upon graduation, Kerney will step into her role as an ICU nurse, fully embracing the responsibility of caring for critically ill patients.
“In the ICU, we are often the last voice a patient may hear as they take their final breaths. The gravity of that responsibility is something I hold in high regard,” she said. “I’ve seen firsthand how a simple act of kindness—a reassuring word, a gentle touch—can bring peace even in the hardest situations. That is the kind of nurse I aspire to be.”
She sees it as both an honor and a privilege to stand beside patients and their families in their most vulnerable moments.
Beyond her individual impact, Kerney hopes to be an advocate for systemic change in health care. She believes that true progress begins at the community level and is committed to using her role as a nurse to drive meaningful improvements in patient care.
Reflecting on her journey, Kerney encourages future nursing students to step into leadership roles early on.
“Nursing isn’t just about learning skills—it’s about developing the ability to advocate for yourself, your patients, and your profession,” she shared. “Don’t be passive. A passive nurse does not make a good nurse. Stand up for what’s right, push for change, and be a voice for those who need one.”
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CONTACT:
Kara Clark Cardwell (865-974-9498, [email protected])