Logan Hale graduated from West Coast Universtiy-Dallas with his BSN in September 2016. Ten days later, he started his new job as an emergency room nurse. A former combat medic, the Texas native was glad to return home to the Dallas area while attending nursing school.

“Once I recieved the acceptance letter, my wife and I buckled down to get through this part of our life,” Hale said. “After you set your mind on what you want to do, don’t let anything stop you. Your family and friends will understand how busy you will be, and it will be worth it when you are working in a hospital making a difference in someone’s life.”

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What would you want people to know about your journey to becoming a nurse?

I want to tell people to never give up on your dream. When I graduated high school I could not afford to go to college. So, I joined the military in 2007, and I spent eight years in the Navy and deployed to Afghanistan as a combat medic. Once I got out I finally was able to afford to go to college, but I was 27 years old and out of school for eight years. I knew I would be with a younger crowd, but I felt that I was ready to further my education and my career.

How did you hear about WCU and what was the deciding factor to enroll?

I heard about WCU when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, because I was a corpsman in the Navy. However, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do. After doing some research I decided to become a nurse due to the multiple avenues we can take, and the personal level we have with patients. After I figured this out I applied to several nursing schools, and WCU was the first one to accept me. I decided to go to the Dallas campus, because I am from the Dallas area and I wanted to go back home.

Why do you want to be a nurse?

I knew I wanted to be a nurse because when I was in the Navy I was tasked to take care of Marines and I really liked the patient-nurse connection that you get. I knew that you wouldn’t get that with being a PA or doctor so I wanted to become a nurse so I could still work in the medical field but also get the interaction, that close interaction, you can with patients.

What are some of the things you did at WCU you are most proud of?

While at WCU we had a lot of opportunities to work alongside nurses in different hospitals. This is where I got to see firsthand, again, how important nurses are in a patient’s life.

The accelerated program is challenging. Was there ever a time when you thought about quitting?

There was never a time I thought about quitting, but it was very difficult. I did not see my friends and family a lot of the time, and I lost a lot of sleep. However I knew once I completed my goal I could go make a difference in someone’s life.

What are you doing now?

I just got accepted to an ER position at Baylor Hospital in downtown Fort Worth. I start September 19.

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.