Brandi Borden thought about becoming an RN for years before she finally pursued a career in nursing. Her interest was first sparked while she worked as a lighting, camera and production assistant for film and television. She knew several nurses and would chat with medics on set. Their stories and passion for patient care planted a seed.
杏吧专区淚t was always intriguing to me to be one of those people who cared for people,杏吧专区 Borden said. 
In 2019, Borden achieved her goal of becoming an RN, and in August of that year she began work as a trauma ICU staff nurse at 杏吧专区 Medical Center in New Orleans.
Next, Borden faced the challenge of earning her bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree in nursing through the 杏吧专区 online RN to BSN program. She completed that degree in 2021.
Though her career change was a long time coming, her first nursing job has her excited for her future in health care.
杏吧专区淭here are a lot of new nurses right now, which is good because we杏吧专区檙e all learning,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淚 have a lot to be thankful for so I杏吧专区檓 usually smiling. I absolutely love it. I杏吧专区檓 super happy.杏吧专区
Right Place, Right Time
Borden didn杏吧专区檛 exactly seek out a career behind the camera. It came to her by chance.
She was waiting tables to earn a living at the time, shortly after leaving her job at a Saturn car dealership in Ventura, California. One night while she was over at a friend杏吧专区檚 house, the phone rang. It was a mutual acquaintance, a former Saturn coworker who also worked on film crews. He called her friend looking for a last-minute camera department sub, and to Borden杏吧专区檚 surprise, she was volunteered for the role.
Her fill-in gig as a crew member on a Power Rangers shoot led to more opportunities, and she went on to work in the industry for a decade. Borden eventually earned her union card during her time on set in Los Angeles and various locations and worked behind the scenes on a variety of projects. They include the hit movies Stuart Little 2 and Love Don杏吧专区檛 Cost a Thing, and the award-winning indie film Me and You and Everyone We Know.
Borden is often surprised to meet other nurses who used to work in the film industry, including two from her ADN program. However, she also finds many similarities in the way creative and nursing crews work together.
杏吧专区淚 absolutely love camaraderie 杏吧专区 I love working as a team. You get the pulling together and everybody working together for something bigger than just their department or themselves,杏吧专区 she said.
RN at Last
Borden flirted with the idea of starting nursing school shortly after leaving the entertainment industry, but her new husband杏吧专区檚 military career took her to Germany, and they quickly started a family.
杏吧专区淚 wound up not doing it because life gets in the way,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淵ou put things on hold and you don杏吧专区檛 think about them because you杏吧专区檙e paying your bills and doing other things.杏吧专区
When the marriage ended in divorce, Borden decided to return to the States with her young son, Tristan. Once they settled in with her parents in Covington, Louisiana, she enrolled in the Charity School of Nursing at Delgado Community College.
Borden graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in May 2019. She also served as president of the college杏吧专区檚 student nursing association. She also served as the editor of Horizons, a publication of the Louisiana Association of Student Nurses where she was also a board member.
Borden believes that becoming a nurse at 45 has influenced her attitude toward patients and her ability to understand their needs. She feels that her long journey to nursing and the obstacles she has faced give her additional empathy and insight.
杏吧专区淚 think that being older, you have this past life that is part of you,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淚n the job, you understand things because you have life experience. I think I杏吧专区檓 a lot more sensitive and I have a different perspective versus when I was younger.杏吧专区
While she initially found going back to school a challenge, in the end she believes her experience also helped her succeed as a student.
杏吧专区淎nything that you杏吧专区檝e done in your past has molded you to the person you are now,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淚 feel like I杏吧专区檓 a lot more focused on what I want. For me it杏吧专区檚 just been a blessing to be able to finish nursing school and work.杏吧专区
New Life, New Dreams
Borden earned her ADN in an on-campus nursing program, but she felt an online BSN program would be the best fit for her new life. Studying online helped her balance work, school, and time with Tristan, who is now 9 years old.
She chose UL Lafayette for the convenience and reputation of its online RN to BSN program and the support available to online students.
杏吧专区淭he application process was super easy. Everyone was really good about communication.杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淓verything杏吧专区檚 been great.杏吧专区
She also appreciated being able to begin her BSN studies right away.
杏吧专区淚 like the five different start dates,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淭hat was a big deciding factor for me. Being able to start in October is a better schedule than a semester schedule.杏吧专区
As Borden looks forward, she also takes time to reflect on how far she has come. She is enjoying the life her new career makes possible.
杏吧专区淔or the first time since my divorce I杏吧专区檓 able to provide for me and my child,杏吧专区 she said. 杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 thankful for the things that happened and I杏吧专区檝e definitely learned from them. I杏吧专区檓 thankful for everybody who helped me get here.杏吧专区