At their Tampa commencement ceremony, the Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Caylor School of Nursing was proud to host alumni Anthony Antonelli as commencement speaker. Antonelli received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from LMU and his master’s in nursing from the University of South Florida. He now works as a nurse practitioner at AdventHealth.
Starting as an emergency department pharmacy technician, he worked his way up to becoming a registered nurse, charge nurse, and ultimately a nurse practitioner. His diverse certifications, including AANP, PEDS-BC, TNCC, and ENPC, reflect his commitment to excellence and professional development.
Reflecting on his journey, Antonelli often shares wisdom gained through experience: “Failure was not the end of my journey; it was just the beginning. Failure doesn’t define you—it’s how you respond to failure that shapes you.”
For Antonelli, the heart of nursing lies in its human connection. Whether holding a patient’s hand in their final moments, supporting a family in crisis, or navigating the chaos of an emergency, he believes these experiences shape not just the nurse but the person:
“Every patient you care for, every decision you make, and every challenge you face shapes you into the best nurse you can be,” Antonelli said.
