Army National Guard Member Balances Full-Time Nursing Career and Studies to Earn UA Little Rock Nursing Degree
A dedicated nursing student and Arkansas Army National Guard member is about to achieve a major milestone as he graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Already working as a full-time nurse at Baptist Health, Colton Dixon of Benton exemplifies the commitment, resilience, and drive that distinguishes him in both his healthcare career and military service.
“I’ve wanted to go into nursing since I was in the seventh grade,” Dixon said. “It always amazed me when you would see someone who was very sick in the ICU, almost to the point of death, and now they are walking out of the hospital healthy thanks to the hard work of nurses and doctors.”
After graduating high school in 2018, Dixon joined the Arkansas Army National Guard and then came to UA Little Rock in 2019. He enjoyed being involved in student organizations like Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the Interfraternity Council, and the Rowing Club.
After graduating with his associate degree in nursing in 2023, Dixon began working as a registered nurse at Baptist Health in the Coronary Care Unit in the ICU while he earned his bachelor’s degree online.
While Dixon is planning to take a brief academic break after being in college for the past five years, he eventually plans to earn his master’s degree in nursing so can work as an advanced practice nurse or a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
“My biggest piece of advice for nursing students, especially when you’re just starting out, is to focus on one step at a time,” Dixon said. “Nursing school can feel overwhelming, but if you stay present instead of stressing over the future, it becomes manageable. I found it helpful to study every day, but I’d set aside one day a week to relax and recharge. My study method was to study for 30 minutes, then take a 10-minute break. This approach kept me focused without burning out. Nursing school is tough, and it’s normal to feel stressed, but with the right balance, it’s doable.”
