Whether leading cheers or caring for patients, BSN student Arielle Robinson brings energy, dedication and teamwork to everything she does. A junior at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing and a member of the Texas White Squad cheerleading team, she exemplifies what it means to be a Longhorn.
Her passion for nursing began in high school, where she shadowed nurses and saw firsthand how they care for patients both medically and emotionally.
“My experiences throughout high school opened my eyes to be the one who advocates for my patients to ensure they feel seen and heard at all times,” Robinson said.
“Choosing The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing was truly a blessing for me,” she continued. “When I toured the campus my senior year of high school, I hoped to one day call it my future home. UT Austin School of Nursing offers incredible opportunities and resources to truly prepare future nurses.”
Since beginning the program, her outlook on nursing has grown tremendously.
“UT Austin has greatly broadened my perspective of what it means to be a nurse,” she said. “Before nursing school, my mind was wrapped around nursing being mainly about patient care at the bedside. Throughout my classes, simulations, and clinical rotations, I have gained a deeper understanding of how nurses truly make an impact on public health, research and policy. UT Austin has helped me realize nursing can be applied to science and beyond.”
Joining the Texas White Squad, Robinson said, has strengthened her as both a student and a future nurse.
“Being part of the Texas White Squad has made me a better nursing student in so many ways,” she said. “Cheer has taught me how to manage my time, stay organized and push through even when things get tough. It has also helped me build confidence in working as part of a team. Whether I’m on the sidelines or in clinicals, I’ve learned that success comes from communication, trust and supporting the people around you.”
Robinson’s days often begin before sunrise, with a quick breakfast at 5:30 a.m. before heading to cheer practice from 6:30 to 9 a.m. Once practice wraps, she makes her way to the School of Nursing for lectures and squeezes in lunch during short breaks. On game weeks, her schedule gets even more demanding, so she’s learned to take advantage of every spare moment to study and stay on top of her coursework.
Balancing two full-time commitments—nursing and cheer—takes discipline and grace.
“It takes a lot of planning ahead to balance nursing classes, clinical and cheer practice,” she said. “I try my best to write down everything in my calendar, ranging from when I am going to eat to when I am going to finish an assignment. I also try my best to give myself grace when my schedule gets really packed so I don’t get overwhelmed.”
While time management is the biggest challenge, Robinson said it’s all worth it.
“The most rewarding part is being able to do what I love in two different ways alongside people who are uplifting and supportive,” she added.
She notices a strong parallel between cheer and nursing, particularly in the sense of support within the group. Whether on the cheer team or in a nursing cohort, everyone is consistently willing to lend a hand and make time to help one another succeed. And the lessons she’s learned through cheer extend into her nursing practice.
“Cheer has taught me the importance of being confident, which has greatly helped me in my nursing journey,” Robinson said. “During clinicals, it is very important for me to be confident and trust in my skills before doing tasks in the hospital.”
Representing UT Austin, both on the field and in the hospital, is something Robinson says is a true blessing.
“It is an honor to carry the values and dedication that come with being a Longhorn everywhere I go,” she added.
Her support system, within the School of Nursing and the cheer squad, has been instrumental in making her success possible.
“My teammates and professors are an incredible support system,” she added. “My teammates constantly encourage me, help me stay motivated and understand the balance it takes to juggle academics and practices. My professors are equally supportive, showing flexibility and understanding when schedules get demanding, and they genuinely want to see me succeed in both nursing and cheer. Their encouragement reminds me that I’m part of two amazing communities here at UT.”
Robinson’s passion lies in maternal health, particularly in labor and delivery (L&D), and advocating for women regardless of their age, background or history.
“I believe that L&D goes beyond helping women give birth but also includes being a lending hand and providing comfort to all individuals at any stage of their life,” she said.
After graduation, she plans to work as a registered nurse in Texas and continue advocating to improve maternal health access and outcomes.
For now, she continues to thrive in both worlds—on the field and in the classroom—guided by advice she’s taken to heart: “Grace over perfection.” Her message to future students is equally encouraging: “I want future nursing students to realize that it is possible to stay involved on campus while balancing a rigorous nursing degree if you have supportive people by your side.”
Photo Credit: Ralph Arvesen