Graduate Student Alumni Spotlight

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner

Student Name: Christian Garrett, BSN, RN

Program: MSN-FNP

Hometown: Jacksonville, TX

Undergraduate Institution: UT Tyler

Why did you choose to attend UT Tyler?

I am eternally thankful and blessed beyond measure to be allowed to continue my educational journey in nursing here at The University of Texas at Tyler. I chose to attend UT Tyler because of its outstanding reputation for committed excellence and quality in education, and especially nursing education, the affordability of tuition/classes, convenience of being able to complete my education in class as well as online while continuing to remain employed, accessibility to the university, and the convenience/closeness to my place of residence.

What are your career goals and how does your graduate program support them?

Upon graduation, it is my earnest desire to remain and serve/practice in the local East Texas Area. Upon successful completion of this program and passing the certification exam, I sincerely wish to be employed with an internal medicine and pediatric clinic as a family nurse practitioner, where I may broaden my clinical experience, skills set and knowledge as an advanced practice nurse. I truly feel that the MSN-FNP Program here at UT Tyler has prepared me to care for individuals and families across the lifespan with a focus on primary care in outpatient settings. There is a strong emphasis placed on health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention and illness management. The clinical component provides interdisciplinary experiences by collaboration with other healthcare providers in caring for these individuals and their families. In the near future, I am also planning on returning to UT Tyler to obtain my DNP (Doctorate in Nursing Practice) degree.

What do you like most about UT Tyler?

UT Tyler is a beautiful campus and flourishing academically by leaps and bounds. I cannot speak enough to the diligent work, dedication, patience, kindness and understanding of the administrative leaders/staff and, most of all, the professors of the Graduate School of Nursing. They have nurtured and fostered an environment well suited for learning, given us a foundation to build upon, supported by the most recent evidence-based practice, and they have transmitted genuine care, concern, commitment and affection for their students. I am most proud to be a recipient of these mannerisms and to have witnessed such profound devotion to nursing education. Master’s degrees from The University of Texas at Tyler are highly valued throughout Texas, nationally and beyond. I am confident that my graduate degree from the renowned University of Texas System will be recognized and respected worldwide.

Learn more about our Family Nurse Practitioner program