At Walden, we are proud to be the institution of choice for thousands of veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and military-affiliated individuals who are looking to further their education. To honor these students and alumni and celebrate National Military Appreciation Month, we sat down with David Ramos—veteran and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Completion Program Alumni Ambassador—to discuss his career and educational journey at Walden.
David Ramos (DR): David Ramos, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduated April 2019.
WU: What made you want to become a registered nurse (RN) and go into the nursing field?
DR: I joined the military out of high school and was trained as a firefighter/EMT. Most of the calls we received on base were medical emergencies. That gave me a taste of the medical field. After I finished my enlistment, I went to nursing school and went to work in the ER.
WU: How did you learn about Walden’s BSN program? How did you finally come to the decision to choose Walden as your university of choice for a higher-education destination?
DR: I researched multiple schools. Walden seemed like a great value due to its reasonable cost, and it had everything I was looking for in terms of accreditation. I also had intentions of continuing my education past my bachelor's degree, and Walden has the master's program I am interested in. I figured it would be best to take my undergraduate at the same school as my graduate degree, to keep things running smoothly.
WU: How do you tie Walden’s mission of positive social change to the nursing profession? What is the connection between what you do as a nurse and being an agent of social change?
DR: I think nursing has come a long way as a profession. Nursing was once looked at as dirty work but is now recognized as an honorable and respectable profession. Unfortunately, nursing still struggles to recruit men, with only 10% of the nursing field consisting of males. I feel I can represent the nursing field and show other men how great of a career they could have in this field.
WU: What is one piece of advice you would give prospective students or students entering the BSN program at Walden?
DR: Have a schedule and stick to it. It is easy to get distracted while taking online classes. Putting things off is not a good strategy. Get yourself a weekly schedule with allotted time to read, study, and post.
WU: How do you typically celebrate National Nurses Month? What does it mean to the nursing community to be recognized in this way?
DR: Usually my employer has a small token of gratitude they provide for the staff, but for me, it’s more about celebrating my fellow nurses than looking for any recognition for myself. It's a great time to thank my co-workers and all of the nurses I know for doing the work they do.
WU: Walden is more than 50 years old. What does that mean to you, to know that your alma mater has such a rich history in distance learning education?
DR: It is a great feeling knowing that you come from a school with such strong roots. It gives confidence that you have received a quality education.
WU: Do you have any last remarks, David?
DR: Walden has been such a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to continuing my education here!
Earn Your College Degree From an Online School That Values Military Students and Military Families
Choosing where to get your degree—whether it be a bachelor’s or master’s—is a big decision. As you research higher-education institutions, be sure to investigate the support services they offer—especially if you are interested in military grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance opportunities. Walden, an accredited university, proudly offers a Military Services Team dedicated to providing comprehensive support to military students and families, including information on tuition reduction opportunities and federal financial aid. And thanks to online education, you can earn your degree there while you continue to work full time. A flexible online learning platform allows you to take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as you pursue your degree and advance your career.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering high-quality online degree programs for military students and families at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as online certificate programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.