{"id":2376,"date":"2023-04-11T19:01:11","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T19:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring2024\/?p=2376"},"modified":"2025-04-21T18:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T18:49:09","slug":"laker-alumni-spotlight-brittany-barrett-14-and-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/laker-alumni-spotlight-brittany-barrett-14-and-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Laker Alumni Spotlight: Brittany Barrett \u201914 and \u201917"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compassion, Confidence, and Care in the ER<\/em><\/h4>\n

In the fast-paced world of emergency medicine, Registered Nurse Brittany Barrett thrives. A two-time graduate of Lake Superior State University, Brittany currently works in the Emergency Department at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault, where her calm under pressure and deep compassion for her patients make a real difference every day.<\/p>\n

\"Brittany

Brittany Barrett (second from right) and ER co-workers<\/p><\/div>\n

Brittany\u2019s journey to becoming an RN wasn\u2019t a straight path\u2014but it was one shaped by purpose and personal experience. \u201cI originally came to LSSU in 2010 with the intention of becoming a doctor<\/em>,\u201d she explains. \u201cBut during my third year, a close family member became seriously ill. Watching the nurses provide not only medical care but emotional support made me realize that nursing was where I was meant to be<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

After completing her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology, Brittany returned to LSSU to pursue her second degree in Nursing, graduating in 2017. It was during her final year in the program that she began interning in the Emergency Department at War Memorial Hospital, now MyMichigan Medical Center Sault. That internship turned into a full-time job\u2014one she\u2019s held ever since.<\/p>\n

A Family Tradition<\/em><\/h4>\n

Brittany\u2019s choice to attend LSSU was inspired by both family and familiarity. \u201cLSSU is a family college for us<\/em>,\u201d she says. \u201cMy mom and two of my aunts graduated from Lake State.<\/em>\u00a0 I\u2019d grown up hearing their stories and spending time in the Sault. I loved the small class sizes and being close to home.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

That close-knit campus experience helped shape her personally and professionally. \u201cMy education at LSSU taught me to make real connections with people,<\/em>\u201d she reflects. \u201cThat\u2019s been inc<\/em>redibly\u00a0<\/em>valuable in my work as a nurse, especially when patients are at their most vulnerable.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Real-World Experience, Right From the Start<\/em><\/h4>\n

Brittany credits her clinical experiences and supportive faculty at LSSU for setting her up for success. \u201cBeing able to complete clinicals in the actual emergency department I work in today gave me confidence. I wasn\u2019t walking into a completely new environment once I graduated,<\/em>\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n

Professors like Dr. Britton Ranson Olson also made a lasting impact. \u201cShe was my advisor during my biology degree and helped guide me through switching paths to nursing. Her support meant a lot during that transition<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom<\/em><\/h4>\n

Outside of academics, Brittany was involved in intramural sports and SAILS (Student Alumni Involved for Lake State), a student group that worked with the Alumni Association. \u201cThose experiences helped me develop teamwork and communication skills\u2014both of which are essential in the ER,<\/em>\u201d she says. \u201cSAILS also gave me leadership opportunities that I carry with me today.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Challenges, Growth, and Making a Difference<\/em><\/h4>\n

Every shift in the ER brings new challenges\u2014and no two days are the same. \u201cThat\u2019s what I love about this work. We treat everyone from newborns to seniors, and everything in between,<\/em>\u201d says Brittany. \u201cAs a rural hospital, we handle it all\u2014we don\u2019t have as many specialties, so we become more versatile nurses<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also acknowledges some of the broader challenges in the profession. One of her most memorable moments came outside of patient care\u2014during a five-day nurses\u2019 strike last spring. \u201cIt was one of the most difficult and unanticipated challenges in my career,<\/em>\u201d she says. \u201cBut walking the picket line with my colleagues showed me the power of unity and advocacy. That experience will always stay with me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Words of Wisdom<\/em><\/h4>\n

Looking back, Brittany says one of the biggest lessons she learned is to trust her instincts. \u201cI wish I had chosen nursing from the beginning, but I felt pressure because people said I was \u2018too smart to be a nurse.\u2019 In reality, nursing is one of the smartest and most compassionate professions there is.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

For current students or aspiring nurses, she offers this advice: \u201cYou\u2019ll never know everything\u2014and that\u2019s okay. Be open to learning. Find a mentor you can ask questions without fear, and always be confident, but humble.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Laker Pride Lives On<\/em><\/h4>\n

From cheering on Laker Hockey as the school\u2019s official CCHA Superfan, to helping save lives in her hometown, Brittany Barrett represents the best of what it means to be a Laker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m passionate about helping people,<\/em>\u201d she says. \u201cAnd every time someone tells me I made a difference\u2014whether I saved their life or just made a hard day easier\u2014it reminds me why I chose this path<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside of work, Brittany enjoys life in Sault Ste. Marie with her husband Mike\u2014also a proud 2017 LSSU alum\u2014and their three-year-old son. The family enjoys the strong sense of community the Sault offers, and Brittany is grateful to be raising her son in a place that feels like home. Whether she\u2019s on the hospital floor or spending time with her loved ones, Brittany brings heart, dedication, and a true Laker spirit to everything she does.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Compassion, Confidence, and Care in the ER In the fast-paced world of emergency medicine, Registered Nurse Brittany Barrett thrives. A two-time graduate of Lake Superior State University, Brittany currently works …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3143,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14,8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2376"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}