Veterans Find New Purpose Through Nursing Program

A special program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) is celebrating a big milestone. For ten years, the Veteran to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) program has been helping military veterans become nurses. This December, the school will honor this achievement during their graduation ceremony. The ceremony will take place on December 13th at the United Supermarkets Arena. Around 551 students will graduate with degrees in nursing, including those from the VBSN program. This program is unique because it helps veterans turn their military medical experience into college credits. Since it started, 172 veterans have graduated, with some even coming back for more degrees. The VBSN program has grown a lot over the years. In 2016, only seven students graduated, but this year, that number is expected to be 31. The program has also given out over $900, 000 in scholarships to help veterans transition to civilian life. Most of the graduates are male and first-generation college students, showing the diverse backgrounds of the veterans in the program. Veterans in the VBSN program come from all branches of the military. They bring valuable skills like discipline, teamwork, and real-world medical experience to their nursing careers. These skills make them stand out in the nursing field. The program is available at several TTUHSC locations across Texas, making it easy for veterans to study close to home. One graduate, Jonathan Menchaca, shared his story. After serving as a combat medic for 14 years, he was injured and medically retired. He found the VBSN program and it changed his life. He now works as the director of Veterans Education Initiatives at TTUHSC. Menchaca says the program has helped many veterans find a new purpose after their military service.