Veteran's Day at the College of Nursing
Pictured above are some of the College's MedVet-BSN students
The College of Nursing thanks the brave men and women who have served our country and protected our freedom. We are honored to have many students who have served in the Armed Forces. Whether you are a veteran or currently serving, we recognize, appreciate and celebrate you today and every day.
One of our Second Degree students and a veteran, Rachael Gowins, shares a part of her story:
"I’m from Santa Cruz, California, and I graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in chemistry. I went straight out of high school, graduated in 2005 and was active duty from then until 2013. I went to flight school in Pensacola, Florida, and then I was stationed in Lemoore, California. I flew in the backseats of Super Hornets, like Goose in Top Gun. I was a WSO - a weapon systems officer. If we’re in an air-to-air fight, we figure out which airplane to target or where to drop bombs. We also talk on the radio and navigate the plane.
"I was deployed from 2009-2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom and we flew over Afghanistan. We were supporting troops on the ground - they go out in their platoons and we know where they’re supposed to go so we overfly them and protect them from the bad guys.
"I ended up going back to Pensacola to be a flight school instructor to train students how to do my job, but I had always wanted to do something in the medical field - my mom’s an RN. I researched schools with second degree options and I found the UK College of Nursing’s program. I have family here too, so it worked out. I would love to become a nurse practitioner and be a certified nurse midwife in rural communities."
Although Gowins is a Second Degree student, the College of Nursing is also proud to have a MedVet-BSN program that capitalizes on veterans’ prior training as a medic. More information on our MedVet-BSN Program is available here.
The College is holding a Veteran's Day Celebration on Friday, Nov. 11, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the third floor student lounge. Cake and punch will be provided. There will also be note cards available in the lounge to write thank you notes to veterans. The notes will be sent overseas to our active duty service men and women.
