To some, the high-demand field of flight nursing may not seem a natural companion to the high-glamour world of pageant competition. A 2018 Pharmacy Tech graduate Ansley Jackson, however, aims to excel in both. 

In April, Jackson competed in Miss Tennessee United States after winning the Miss Cookeville title. She made it to the final five after excelling in the opening number, interview, swimsuit, and evening gown portions of the event. “This was a huge accomplishment to me,” she says, “considering this had only been my fourth pageant ever and my first state pageant.”

From the experience, Jackson says she has learned how to be her best self and not to fear her goals, whether or not she achieves them at first. Time at Chattanooga State, too, has “allowed me to excel academically and personally. It has taught me to put my best foot forward in my future endeavors.” For now, those endeavors include competing again in the Miss Tennessee United States pageant and enrolling in Chattanooga State’s nursing program to prepare for an exciting career as a flight nurse.

For more information about the Pharmacy Technician program or other allied health programs, call (423) 697-4450 or visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/nursing-allied-health.

Story by Julie Barcroft, Chattanooga State