Reserve + National Guard Magazine, 2nd Quarter | 2024
By Laura Jonsson, RN, MS, ANP-C
If you come from a military background, you understand the concept of service from a very young age. My father served in the Air Force and inspired me to choose the same path. The spirit of service is something that drives veterans outside of our military careers as well – whether it’s service to our communities, our families, or other commitments.
We are in a great moment of opportunity for those who feel called to serve others. An aging population, evolving patient needs, and a persistent shortage of nurses nationwide means there is demand for dedicated, service-minded people to enter the nursing profession.
My own career in nursing has been a natural extension of the same service-oriented mindset that led me to the Air Force. I often speak with veterans and nurses about our shared experiences, and I am struck by the similarities between these two paths. Nursing is dynamic, essential, and offers many of the same opportunities to help others that kept me in the Air National Guard for more than two decades.
I loved my time in the military as well as my time as a practicing nurse. Having a purpose bigger than myself helped inspire me throughout my life and career. Many service members transitioning into civilian life seek the same sense of purpose as the military for their next act. Nursing is a rewarding, fulfilling career, and service members make excellent nurses!
During my 22 years as a supply technician, the values of dedication, teamwork, and resilience were deeply ingrained in me. These values and qualities are just as vital in nursing. Nurses are tasked with making life-saving decisions under pressure, working collaboratively within diverse teams, and tirelessly serving others — often putting patients’ needs before their own.
Pursuing nursing alongside my military service offered a clear parallel. Nurses sacrifice for others in significant ways, often unseen, just as service members do. Ultimately, we do this to help those who cannot help themselves. We lean on each other for camaraderie and community – something many people miss from the military and struggle to find in civilian life. I have forged close relationships with other nurses by facing challenging situations together and sharing in our sacrifice for others. I left the military 13 years ago, and I am still connected with my military family – my nursing family is no different.
For military members considering a new path, nursing offers more than just a paycheck – it is a continuation of service. It calls on your ability and leverages your experience to stay calm under pressure, think critically, and care for others in their most vulnerable moments. Nursing is also a great career, with high demand nationwide and dynamic opportunities for future growth.
My own story shows how many directions a nursing background can take you. I was a bedside nurse in ICU and cardiac settings for 10 years before returning to school to become a nurse practitioner. Practicing in cardiology and home care led to roles in management – where my military experience was invaluable. Combining a background in clinical practice with operational experience from my service has created opportunities I couldn’t have dreamed of when I started as a nurse. Now, as a leader at Arizona College of Nursing, I get to help shape educational opportunities for the next generation of nurses – continuing in a role where I focus on serving our students and their needs.
The healthcare landscape in the U.S. is changing, driven by an aging population and new challenges that demand a new generation of nurses to lead us. The need for skilled, adaptable, and dedicated nurses will only grow. For those of us who have served in the military, we are already equipped with many of the same values needed to excel as nurses. Service is about more than just what we do – it’s who we are. A career in nursing allows us to continue and expand our commitment to service.
Laura Jonsson, RN, MS, ANP-C is Senior Vice President of Operations at Arizona College of Nursing. She served 22 years in the Ohio Air National Guard, including active duty in Iraq.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of July 16, 2024.
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.