Flying high: Air Force veteran pursues accelerated BSN degree

From training on the largest military aircraft to caring for the tiniest babies, Gianna Guthrie has gathered a wide range of experiences on her path as a medical professional.

Earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston will represent the culmination of years of work serving the sick and injured.

“Becoming a nurse was a natural progression for me, and my experiences definitely had a lot to do with that,” says Gianna, a student in the school’s Pacesetter BSN program, which allows candidates to earn the degree on an accelerated 15-month timeline.

A Missouri City, Texas, native, Gianna builds on a family legacy of nursing that began with her grandmother and continued with her aunts. Their influence led her to pursue a medical career directly out of high school, enlisting in the United States Air Force in 2020 as an aerospace technician.

After earning her emergency medical technician (EMT) certification at Wright-Patterson Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, Gianna served in the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. She trained as an aerospace evacuation technician and flight medic, where she learned to provide emergency medical care in large aircraft as part of a team that included two nurses and three technicians.

“I witnessed firsthand the critical role that nurses play in patient care,” Gianna says. “Their dedication, compassion, and expertise left a profound impression on me, and they encouraged me to pursue a career as a nurse.”

Transitioning from active-duty service to the reserves, Gianna returned to Houston and attended Houston Community College. Knowing she wanted to advance her education to earn a BSN and become a registered nurse, she was drawn to the fast-paced Pacesetter BSN program. Cizik School of Nursing’s reputation and status as the top-ranked nursing school in Texas solidified her decision.

“I thrive in environments that challenge me to perform at my best, and I saw this accelerated program as an opportunity to immerse myself fully in my nursing education and push my limits,” says Gianna, who began the program in 2024.

During her previous clinical training at Wright-Patterson, witnessing childbirth made a lasting impact on her. The beauty and fragility of the infants entering the world—along with the professionalism and dedication of the highly skilled medical teams that helped deliver them—inspired her to become a neonatal intensive care unit nurse.

“Each birth I observed was an awe-inspiring experience, filled with anticipation, intensity, and, ultimately, the miracle of new life,” Gianna says.

The costs associated with a BSN can prove a significant challenge for some students, but Gianna’s passion for nursing and accomplishments in the Air Force helped her earn two scholarships. She was awarded the Veterans’ BSN Program award, sponsored by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as the John P. McGovern, MD, Scholarship.

These awards help Gianna pay for expenses like tuition and books while easing the financial pressure on her and her family. Amid the intense workload and expedited schedule of the Pacesetter BSN program, receiving financial aid also gave her greater peace of mind to focus more fully on her studies. The support she receives will help her achieve her goals with the same determination she has shown throughout her life.

“I am incredibly honored to have been awarded these scholarships and look forward to realizing my goal of serving the tiniest patients,” she says. “This opportunity means the world to me.”