For Annabelle, Tomorrow Starts with Care

SALISBURY, MD---For Annabelle Branham, care isn’t confined to a single moment or setting. It’s something she builds over time through long shifts, late-night coursework, and a steady commitment to growing into the kind of provider her patients can rely on. Whether she’s in the ICU or logged into class, every experience is shaping the nurse practitioner she’s becoming.

Coming from Centreville, Maryland, Annabelle’s path to graduate school at Salisbury University felt like a natural next step. After completing her undergraduate degree in SU’s nursing program, she knew she wanted to expand her scope of practice, and she knew exactly where she wanted to do it.

“I really enjoyed my undergrad experience in SU’s nursing program,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to expand my scope of practice, and staying somewhere familiar with supportive faculty felt like the best choice.”

Now enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) program and set to graduate in Spring 2029, Annabelle is balancing the demands of graduate school with her work as an ICU nurse. The two, she says, go hand in hand.

“I expand my knowledge through my work as an ICU nurse, which in turn helps me with my courses,” she said. “They really support each other.”

That balance requires discipline. Annabelle works three 12-hour shifts each week while dedicating 10 to 15 hours to coursework. With asynchronous classes, she’s able to structure her learning around her schedule by watching lectures, completing assignments, and staying engaged in her own time.

But even in a fully online program, she’s found something that surprised her. She has built meaningful connections.

“I feel well supported by the faculty,” she said. “Even though it’s online, I still feel a deep level of connection between me and my professors. It’s the perfect level of independence and support.”

That sense of connection extends beyond faculty. Many of her classmates are also working professionals, bringing real-world experience into every discussion.

“A lot of us are already working full time in the field,” she said. “Being able to share those experiences with each other has been really beneficial.”

One experience that stands out to Annabelle has been her research in healthcare informatics, particularly exploring how artificial intelligence can be integrated into healthcare systems. As technology continues to evolve, so does the coursework, giving students like Annabelle the opportunity to grow alongside it.

“The informatics course is always adapting to new research and technology,” she said. “It’s helped me expand my understanding in ways that feel really relevant to where healthcare is going.”

As she moves through the program, Annabelle is also gaining clarity about her future. While she’s certain she wants to become a nurse practitioner, her interests continue to evolve, ranging from primary care to palliative care and community health.

“I have a lot of interests,” she said. “As I’m growing in the program, I’m learning more about how I want to continue my expertise in my career.”

That growth isn’t just academic. Through her time at SU, Annabelle has strengthened her communication and professional skills, deepened her understanding of human physiology, and built meaningful connections with faculty, peers, and professionals in the field.

For students considering a similar path, her advice is simple. Take the time to explore.

“Shadowing is really important,” she said. “Talk to current students and make sure your goals and values align with the field.”

With each class, each shift, and each connection, Annabelle is building a future grounded in knowledge, compassion, and adaptability. It’s a future that reflects not only where she’s been, but all the places she’s prepared to go.