Aquavien Broussard
My name is Aquavien Broussard, though most people call me AJ. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I grew up in Sunnyside and graduated from high school in Atascocita. I am set to receive my Bachelor of Science in Nursing on December 13, 2025.
I am a first-generation college student, and this accomplishment means everything to me. It represents carrying a torch that breaks stigmas and ends generational patterns my family has struggled with for years. I am not a PVAMU legacy, but I hope to start one by being the first of many in my family to attend Prairie View A&M University.
I chose PVAMU because PVAMU chose me. From the moment I arrived, I felt at home. I felt seen, supported, and relieved of financial burdens that could have limited my opportunities. PV poured into me, believed in me, and made me feel cared for, which is why I proudly call it home. One of the things PVAMU offers that other universities cannot replicate is its sense of family. You feel like a person, not just another student filling a seat. Classes are more personal and less intimidating than large lecture halls, and the faculty-to-student ratio makes your learning experience feel tailored to you.
Being at PV never felt like being away at school; it felt like going on a long vacation with cousins I didn’t get to see often. The community made me feel noticed, understood, and welcomed. Even my roommates became family and helped ease my nerves about leaving home for the first time.
Some of the organizations that shaped my college experience were Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., Prairie View Student Nurses Association, National Student Nurses Association, Fort Bend County Black Nurses Association, and Prairie View Mentoring Nurses Organization. These organizations surrounded me with people who understood exactly what I was going through. They helped me grow into the professional I am today: polished, confident, and prepared. They also allowed me to pour back into students who were just as nervous as I once was.
I am often asked why I chose nursing, and my answer changes every time because every day in this profession is different. Each time I walk into a hospital and care for someone’s loved one during one of the hardest moments of their life, I am reminded that nursing is about compassion. I try to put a smile on their face and make sure they feel seen, heard, and valued. My nursing journey is unique because I am an African American male, a first-generation college student, and the oldest of nine siblings. Many people are looking up to me, and I carry that responsibility with pride. I am navigating spaces no one in my family has entered before, and I am changing the trajectory of my family’s history.
I’ve been blessed to receive scholarships and grants that allowed me to attend nursing school debt-free. I had the honor of serving as a Professional Nurse Extern at MD Anderson and joining the Interprofessional Committee, where I helped develop modules on how healthcare disciplines can work cohesively to care for patients. I also completed externships at MD Anderson Cancer Center and HCA Healthcare. These experiences strengthened my clinical skills, deepened my passion for patient-centered care, and helped prepare me to step confidently into the profession.
My greatest achievement at PVAMU will be graduating and becoming a proud alumnus of the Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing. I have already accepted an offer from Houston Methodist to join their team as an Operating Room Nurse. In this role, I look forward to becoming a competent and confident OR nurse, earning as many certifications as possible, and challenging myself to learn something new every day. Ultimately, I hope to become a nurse educator or move into leadership within the institution I serve. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is being able to attend nursing school debt-free while creating a legacy for my siblings and the generations that follow.
My advice to current students is simple: keep going. Nursing school is rigorous, and I came close to quitting many times. But when you look back, you will be grateful you stayed the course. Those 2.5 years of sacrifice will open the door to the lifestyle you see nurses living today. One day, that will be you taking vacations after working your three 12-hour shifts. Keep reminding yourself of the goal. And whenever you feel discouraged, remember my motto:
“Where I am today, I dreamed about yesterday.” – Aquavien Broussard
Aquavien Broussard graduates from Prairie View A&M University this fall with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.