Nursing – Page 2 – EWU Army ROTC

EWU Army ROTC Cadet Returns from Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP) Internship

08/06/2019 by jstafford3

For one Eastern Washington University (EWU) student, he can say he has had a very different summer from most other college students. This is because Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadet Josiah Bryan recently completed the U.S. Army’s Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP). The NSTP is a competitive internship that only top nursing Cadets from across the country are selected for. Bryan was selected to conduct his nursing internship at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Ft. Bliss, Texas. For one month Cadet Bryan learned the roles and responsibilities of being a nurse while being under the supervision of an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer.

EWU Army ROTC Cadet Josiah Bryan (far right) poses with four other Army nursing Cadets selected for the Nurse Summer Training Program at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Ft. Bliss, Texas.

The William Beaumont Army Medical Center is one of the largest hospitals in the U.S. Army. It has over one million square feet of floor space and sees an average of 3,200 patients every day. Presently, there are 70 physicians in training, 27 interns and 43 residents at the hospital. There are also more than 100 officers and enlisted Soldiers training in other medical specialties on any given day.

Congratulations to Cadet Bryan for completing his NSTP internship and we look forward to seeing him commission in Winter quarter as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

For anyone interested in becoming an Army Nurse the EWU ROTC program has a long and successful history of commissioning nurses into the Army. You can read more about our program and the pay and benefits of being an Army nurse at the below link:

Fighting Eagles Cadet Conducts Nursing Internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center

07/01/2019 by jstafford3

This summer seven Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program were selected for Cadet Command sponsored internships. Our first Cadet, Sarah Mullen recently returned from her nursing internship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C. Our next Cadet, Josiah Bryan departed for his nursing internship on June 30th at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

Cadet Josiah Bryan

For the next month Cadet Bryan will learn all the roles and responsibilities of being a nurse while being under the supervision of an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer. He will also obtain hands on experience in various clinical specialties such as labor and delivery, pediatrics, emergency room, etc. Cadet Bryan’s internship is part of the Nurse Summer Training Program. This program selects qualified nursing Cadets to intern at Army Medical Department (AMEDD) hospitals around the world.

The William Beaumont Army Medical Center is not only one of the largest buildings in El Paso, TX, but also one of the larger hospitals in the U.S. Army. It has over one million square feet of floor space and sees an average of 3,200 patients every day. Presently, there are 70 physicians in training, 27 interns and 43 residents at the hospital. There are also more than 100 officers and enlisted Soldiers training in other medical specialties on any given day.

William Beaumont Army Medical Center

EWU ROTC wishes Cadet Bryan all the best during his nursing internship.

EWU ROTC Cadet Conducts Nursing Internship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

06/07/2019 by jstafford3

This summer seven Cadets from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program were selected for Cadet Command sponsored internships. Our first Cadet has already left and begun their internship. Sarah Mullen a senior (MS-IV) Cadet is spending the next month participating in a nursing internship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C.

Cadet Sarah Mullen

Walter Reed is the nation’s largest and most well known military hospital. It has over 100 clinics that provide specialized care for U.S. military beneficiaries as well as the wounded, ill, and injured from conflicts overseas.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center via Wikipedia.

Cadet Mullin’s internship is part of the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP). This program selects qualified nursing Cadets to intern at Army Medical Department (AMEDD) hospitals around the world. Walter Reed is one of the most prestigious military hospitals for a Cadet to be selected to intern at. During the internship Cadet Mullen will learn all the roles and responsibilities of being a nurse while being under the supervision of an experienced Army Nurse Corps Officer. She will obtain hands on experience in various clinical specialties such as labor and delivery, pediatrics, emergency room, etc.

This is truly a unique internship opportunity that only ROTC Cadets can experience. For anyone interested in becoming an Army Nurse the EWU ROTC program has a long and successful history of commissioning nurses into the Army. You can read more about our program and the pay and benefits of being an Army nurse at the below link:

Fighting Eagles Cadets Experience Army Nursing for the First Time at Madigan Army Medical Center

06/04/2019 by jstafford3

By: Cadet Lucas McCune

During National Nurses Week this past May, three Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets visited the Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). The trip to Madigan was sponsored by the nursing team at the 8th ROTC Brigade headquartered at JBLM. Each ROTC battalion in 8th brigade was able to send nursing prospects to participate in the tour. The EWU ROTC battalion sent the most nursing prospects with three Fighting Eagles Cadets, Lucas McCune, Jenna Knight, and Emma LaTour taking advantage of this great opportunity.

From Left: EWU ROTC Cadets Lucas McCune, Jenna Knight, Emma Latour, and Major Myra White the 8th ROTC Brigade nurse.

This tour was the first one the brigade has ever held for Cadets which is why this tour was so special. By the end of the tour, all the Cadets agreed that the trip was invaluable because of the advice they received for their future path in nursing. Not only was the tour beneficial for understanding the duties of army nursing, but a great way to create new bonds between Cadets throughout the brigade.

As the Cadets began to arrive to JBLM on Friday May 10th, they were given time to eat dinner and get to know one another. Shortly after, it was lights out for an early start for the tour of Madigan Hospital the next morning. On the morning of May 11th, the Cadets got ready for the day and were transported to Madigan to begin their tour. Once breakfast had been eaten, the Cadets were given a warm welcome by a few experienced army nurses who would ensure that the duties of Army nurses were understood as well as their specialties.

The tour encompassed a large portion of the hospital. The Cadets began their tour in the Emergency Room which led to the radiology center, intensive care unit, post-anesthesia care unit, as well as patient care rooms and end of life care. Each area of specialty was introduced to the Cadets and explained by a different nurse who worked in that sector. The Cadets were given lots of advice and information on the duties of what each nursing specialty focuses on as well as given time to freely ask questions.

Madigan Army Medical Center via Wikipedia.

As the tour was coming to an end, the cadets were given the opportunity to ask a large variety of Army nurses questions in a panel. Throughout the day, the cadets had been preparing questions to ask to help figure out what path of nursing would suit them best. Here the army nurses offered a variety of experiences and answered questions on the duties of nursing, gave advice through the path of nursing, as well as what to expect on deployments and life as an Army nurse. Cadet Emma LaTour really enjoyed the panel of experienced and new nurses because “we could ask them questions about nursing and at each level they all had something different and helpful to say”.

When the panel ended, the Cadets thanked everyone for taking time out of their day to teach them more about the profession they would be going into. Even though there were many different types of Army nurses, they all shared something in common. It was the “care and compassion that all the nurses and personnel had for their patients,” said Cadet Jenna Knight.

Coming into the tour, most of the cadets knew they wanted to pursue a career in nursing but were not sure what exactly they wanted to do. By the time the tour had come to an end, most of the cadets felt confident in what they wanted to pursue in their near future. On the following morning of May 12th, the Cadets had one last breakfast together and all agreed that this tour was something they hope all future nursing Cadets would get to experience. From the moment the Cadets had arrived to JBLM and left, they had learned so much about their future profession as well as making friendships that would last a lifetime. This tour allowed Cadets to be guided along the daily routines of army nursing as well as begin finding their own path of nursing due to this special opportunity.

For anyone interested in learning more about Army nursing and how to become a nurse through the EWU ROTC program please visit our nursing webpage. The page is filled with information on how to become an Army nurse, scholarship information, and what to expect in the EWU ROTC program.

Go Army Nursing! Go Fighting Eags!

Graduation Season Begins for EWU ROTC’s Fighting Eagles Cadets

05/08/2019 by jstafford3

WSU College of Nursing Convocation

Over the past five days the graduation season for the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) has begun. Last Thursday two of our “Fighting Eagles” battalion nursing Cadets participated in the Washington State University College of Nursing Convocation ceremony. The ceremony was held at the historic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox in downtown Spokane.

The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in downtown Spokane.

The FOX theater was built back in 1931 in an art deco style. It has been completely renovated in recent years and is an architectural landmark in downtown Spokane.

Interior of the Fox theater.

During the Convocation Ceremony the graduates receive a special nursing pin presented by nursing professionals or family members. Historians trace this tradition back to the 12th Century when knights during the Crusades cared for their wounded. When new monks were brought into the Knights Order to care for wounded and sick troops, a special ceremony was held where each monk was given a Maltese cross to wear on their arm.

Cadet Candace Madriaga receives her nursing pin from her family.

Cadet Hayley Primm receives her nursing pin from her family.

Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War was honored with the Red Cross of St. George for her efforts to care for wounded British troops. She in turn began awarding medals to nurses she trained. Nightingale would go on to be considered the founder of modern nursing. In the United States, nursing schools instead of giving medals to new nurses, started issuing pins during a special ceremony. Our EWU ROTC nursing Cadets, Candace Madriaga and Hayley Primm had to the opportunity to experience this special ceremony. Congratulations to our two outstanding new nurses.

Florence Nightingale

For anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Nurse through the EWU ROTC program please click the below link.

Running Start Graduation

This week we had more Fighting Eagles Cadets who graduated from the EWU Running Start Program. Running Start is a program that allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to attend college classes at EWU.

The college classes that the Running Start students can enroll in includes Military Science. Currently 10% of the Fighting Eagles battalion Cadets are either currently in Running Start or were part of Running Start prior to contracting into the EWU ROTC program. This includes two of our prior Running Start students that are commissioning this year as Second Lieutenants. Congratulations to our 2019 Running Start graduates.

The bulk of our EWU ROTC Cadets will be graduating on June 15th to close out or 2019 academic year graduation season.

Go ROTC! Go Fighting Eags!

Thank a Nurse In Recognition of National Nurses Week

05/06/2019 by jstafford3

For anyone that sees a nurse this week make sure to thank them in recognition of National Nurses Week that runs from 6-12 May. This week was selected in honor of Florence Nightingale who was born on May 12, 1820. Ms. Nightingale is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence managing and training nurses to care for injured British soldiers during the Crimean War. In 1860, Ms. Nightingale established a professional nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. It was the first secular nursing school in the world, and is now part of King’s College London. Nurses in the United States take an oath after becoming a nurse called the Nightingale Pledge.

Florence Nightingale

For anyone interested in continuing the work of Florence Nightingale and becoming a professional nurse, the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program graduates nursing Cadets every year. After graduation the nurses serve on Active Duty or in the US Army Reserve in the US Army Nurse Corps.

(Left) Cadet Koby Binks, an ROTC graduate of the WSU College of Nursing, receives the Norton Healthcare Award for nurse cadets at Cadet Summer Training. Photo by Mattie Cook. (Right) Candace Madriaga, an ROTC student at the WSU College of Nursing, was honored with the Norton Healthcare Award at Cadet Summer Training. Photo by Madison Thompson.

Our nurse Cadets complete their first two to three years of Nursing and ROTC pre-requisites on Eastern’s Cheney campus. Nursing Cadets complete their final two years at the Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing in downtown Spokane. The WSU College of Nursing reserves seats in each class for ROTC Nurses that achieve their admissions standards.

Nurses in ROTC complete the same training requirements as other Cadets. However, our program has several options to manage Nursing Cadets through the rigors and demands of a tough academic field while completing ROTC requirements. One of the best benefits available is the financial support provided by a ROTC scholarship.

Army ROTC Nursing Scholarship Benefits:

Full tuition OR room and board and all mandatory fees
Book stipend up to $1,200 per year
A monthly stipend of $420
Required student nurse uniforms and clinical supplies
Nurse malpractice insurance (provides coverage during clinical rotations)
Milestone Recognition Awards (based on progress through the program)
Littman stethoscope ($200.00 value)
NCLEX-RN review materials and fees and the licensure testing fee and a drug guide ($950.00 value)

Learn more about the EWU ROTC program and Army Nursing by clicking the link below:

Go ROTC! Go Army Nursing!