Jenni Hedrick - A&M-Texarkana Alumna
Texarkana native Jenni Hedrick has always wanted to be a nurse. Her great grandmother was a nurse, and growing up Jenni was able to see and understand the impact her great grandmother had on patients in the community. She received support and encouragement from other family members as well and went to college to become a labor and delivery nurse.
Jenni received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas and began her career working as a mother and baby / pediatric nurse. She knew she loved patient care, but she also knew she wanted more.
“I knew I wanted to work in a position of leadership,” Hedrick said. “I wanted to be able to continue my career in nursing administration, but I also knew that meant earning an additional degree.” When she began looking for a graduate-level nursing program, she didn’t have to look far. Jenni enrolled in Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Administration program and received her degree in 2019. It was a program she says was the perfect fit.
“I loved that I was able to earn the degree totally online,” said Hedrick. “It was also very affordable. When I began the MSN program, I had two small children. Being able to complete my degree online meant that I didn’t miss out on any family time or special occasions. Because I lived in Texarkana, I was also able to take advantage of my professors’ office hours for any additional assistance I needed.”
Hedrick says that the degree she received from A&M-Texarkana prepared her well for the requirements of a leadership position in the nursing field. “I learned so much from my classes,” she said. “I learned about the scheduling, managing people, and leadership aspects of nursing. When a leadership position became available, I was ready to apply and take on those responsibilities.”
In addition to graduating from A&M-Texarkana, Hedrick was also employed by the university from 2019-2022 as the Simulation Lab Coordinator and an Instructor of Nursing. Missing patient care, Hedrick went back into nursing practice as a Labor and Delivery nurse and was recently promoted to become the Clinical Director of Labor and Delivery for Christus St. Michael in Texarkana.
Hedrick is a graduate of Pleasant Grove High School and has been married to her high-school sweetheart, Taylor, for 14 years. The couple has a nine-year-old daughter, Anna Leigh and a son, Lincoln, who is seven. When not working Jenni and her family enjoy being outside near any body of water, be it at the beach, a lake, or a river. They are also a family of Arkansas Razorback fans and enjoy “calling the hogs” whenever possible.
We are proud to call you both an alumna and a friend of A&M-Texarkana, Jenni. Thank you for your dedication in providing world-class healthcare to our community and ensuring that mothers and babies begin their journey with the healthiest start possible.