Arizona State University Nursing Student Earns Degree at 17

Some people spend their whole lives unsure of what career they truly want — so when you feel as though you have always known, why not do everything you can to make your dreams come true as soon as possible? This is exactly what Danielle McBurnett did, gaining a BS in Nursing at the age of 17, making her the youngest recipient of that degree in the school’s history.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in going through nursing school and my education thus far, is to never let my age inhibit me from achieving my dreams,” McBurnett said.

McBurnett was home schooled and began taking college courses at Chandler Gilbert Community College when she was 12. She received her high school diploma and her associate degree (with a 4.0 grade point average) when she was 15.

“I definitely think it was the best of both worlds,” McBurnett said. “It was a perfect opportunity for me to learn and get to meet people and, most of all, become a nurse, which has been my dream for a long time.”

From the time she was 10 years old, McBurnett knew what she wanted out of life and set off on her educational career with the express goal of learning how to become a nurse. Seven years later, she has succeeded; not content to rest on her laurels, however, she is reaching toward ever higher goals — she plans to work as a research assistant at the college, while pursuing a doctorate degree in nursing practice.

Tags: Arizona State University, bachelor degree nursing, doctorate in nursing