---
title: "Army Veteran Virginia Whitely’s Journey from Military Service to Nursing School"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/veteran-journey-from-military-to-nursing-school/"
type: post
date_published: 2025-08-05
date_modified: 2026-04-10
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 1108
reading_time: 6 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/veteran-journey-from-military-to-nursing-school/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nursing-Program-Scholarship-for-Nursing-School-Near-Me.webp"
categories:
  - Nursing School
topic:
  - Military
  - Nursing
---

# Army Veteran Virginia Whitely’s Journey from Military Service to Nursing School

![Veteran Nursing Program Scholarship for Nursing School Near Me](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nursing-Program-Scholarship-for-Nursing-School-Near-Me.webp)

_This is a multi-part series celebrating Arizona College of Nursing students, their stories, and their embodiment of the AZCN values._

_In 2023, Arizona College of Nursing established the AZCN Values Scholarship Fund as a way to celebrate our values with our colleagues, our students, and the communities in which we serve. Each time an AZCN colleague recognizes another colleague for demonstrating our values, $5 is added to the scholarship fund. These add up to $5,000 scholarships awarded to students the following year who have demonstrated our values within their communities._

_Join us in celebrating 2024 AZCN Values Scholarship recipient **Virginia Whitely** as she shares some of her journey to nursing:_

---

## From Military Service to Healthcare

Meet AZCN Values Scholarship Recipient, Virginia Whitely, a Nursing Student at
the [AZCN Tempe Campus](https://arizonacollege.edu/tempe-nursing-school/).
Virginia is a U.S. Army Veteran who served 20 years and was inspired to be a
nurse midwife to work in conflict zones and underserved areas.

---

## Virginia Shares Her Path to Nursing

As clichéd as it may sound, I often find myself in awe of the phrase “standing
on the shoulders of giants.” As a minority, a woman, and an immigrant, I have
been deeply inspired by those who came before me—particularly the women’s rights
activists who paved the way for the opportunities and privileges I am fortunate
to enjoy today. Their tireless efforts opened doors that I now walk through,
giving me the freedom to pursue my passions and shape a meaningful career in
service to others.

![Veteran Nursing Scholarship for BSN Program Near Me](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Veteran-Nursing-Scholarship-for-BSN-Program-Near-Me.webp?w=300)

One of the most significant privileges I have had was serving in the United
States Army. During my 20 years of military service, I learned invaluable
lessons in discipline, work ethic, and respect. The Army was a transformative
experience that strengthened my character and expanded my worldview. Throughout
my deployments, I encountered regions where access to even the most basic
necessities was a daily struggle. This exposure to global inequality ignited a
profound question in my mind: what can I, as an individual, do to help make
things better for those in need?

As I neared the end of my military career, I began reflecting on how I could
continue to serve in a different capacity, one that would allow me to address
the inequalities I had witnessed. I realized that the medical field offered me a
way to contribute in a tangible and impactful manner. Motivated by this desire
to help, I embarked on a journey to become a certified EMT and pharmacy
technician. These roles allowed me to start building the skills and knowledge
necessary to provide care to those in need.

However, it wasn’t until I stumbled upon the website for Doctors Without Borders
that I truly found my calling. At the time, they were urgently seeking skilled
midwives to work in conflict zones and underserved areas. I was struck by the
realization that midwifery could be the key to making the difference for which I
had been searching. In many conflict-strewn parts of the world, access to
medical services is limited, and it often disproportionately benefits men when
available. Women, particularly those who are pregnant, are left with few options
for care, making them vulnerable to complications and poor health outcomes. I
felt a deep sense of purpose in addressing this disparity.

Determined to pursue midwifery, I began researching the
[necessary steps](https://arizonacollege.edu/admissions/) and eventually
enrolled in nursing school. This journey has been both challenging and immensely
rewarding. Nursing school has given me the tools I need to become a skilled
healthcare provider, and each day I feel as though I am getting closer to being
able to serve women in some of the most vulnerable situations around the world.

Throughout this process, I have learned more than just clinical skills. I have
gained a greater understanding of the strength and resilience of the human
spirit, especially in the face of adversity. These lessons have only deepened my
resolve to become a midwife and dedicate my career to providing care to women
who are often overlooked by traditional medical systems.

Now, as I approach my final semester of nursing school, I find myself facing a
financial challenge: my entitlement to the G.I. Bill, which has been incredibly
supportive throughout my education, has run out. Without additional
[financial assistance](https://arizonacollege.edu/admissions/financial-aid/),
completing my degree will be difficult. This is why I am
[seeking a scholarship](https://arizonacollege.edu/admissions/scholarships/) to
help bridge the gap and ensure that I can finish my education without the added
stress of financial instability.

Receiving this scholarship would be a tremendous help in achieving my goal of
becoming a midwife. It would allow me to focus on my studies and clinical
training as I prepare to step into a role that is not just a career, but also a
calling. I am committed to using the skills and knowledge I have gained to serve
women in conflict zones and underserved areas, ensuring that they receive the
compassionate care they need and deserve.

In many ways, I feel that I am standing on the shoulders of giants—those who
fought for women’s rights, the mentors who guided me through my military career,
and the people who have supported me along this journey. With their influence
and support, I am determined to continue this legacy of service and give back to
those in need. My journey as a midwife will not only fulfill my personal goals
but will also honor the path that has been paved by so many before me.

---

## Q&A with Virginia

**Q:** How has your experience been with the
[AZCN Tempe Campus](https://arizonacollege.edu/tempe-nursing-school/)?

**A:** I feel like the teachers, instructors, professors, are really trying to
teach us the right thing.

They [have] specific experience on the subject they are teaching. So, they
actually know the ins and outs…which I feel like is actually very beneficial.
They actually feel very passionate, and they really want to help you be
successful as well.

**Q:** What resources have helped you at AZCN?

**A:** I do have to say, I do appreciate the professor(s) [that] make it clear
if we have trouble, we can always call a meeting. And I have met with plenty of
professors after hours and it’s been really helpful.

I really appreciate [that] they are very passionate about what they do, and
they try to make us do the right thing.

**Categories:** Nursing School